Out Our Way: The lost calf

While Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting their nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. So Jesus said to them, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!" And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. He went a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father, Zebedee in the boat, with the hired servants and went with Him.

- Mark 1:16-20

Out our way, most ranchers and farmers are sort of born and raised for the job. Agriculture is a family business in which one generation follows another in running the family operation. It was the same in ancient Galilee, especially in the fishing business. Fishing was a trade that, like farming and ranching, is learned largely on the job. There is only so much that one can be taught by an instructor - other lessons have to be learned just by getting out there and doing it.

Simon and Andrew ran a fishing business they had most likely inherited from their parents - who had inherited it from theirs, and so on. Same with old man Zebedee and sons, who sometimes partnered with Simon and Andrew. Fishing was all they knew - they were born into the fishing industry. Nobody had to ask them what they wanted to be when they grew up - one simply learned the trade and went into the family business - no questions asked.

Yet Mark tells us that when Jesus came along the sea shore and called to Simon, Andrew, James and John to leave their nets and follow Him, they did so without hesitation. Old man Zebedee was sitting in the family boat mending nets with his boys and the hired hands - indicating it was quite an operation - when Jesus called to James and John to come follow. We read of no hesitation on their part and no protest on Zebedee's. Why is that? Well, I have a theory.

A few years back, when Charlie and I were riding fence over by the Tiger Ridge area, we came across a lone calf who was just having himself a fine old time grazing up in the high pasture all by his lonesome. Charlie and I had passed the main herd a few miles back, and while coyotes and lions were not too common that time of day in that area, we were surprised to find this little guy out in the boonies by himself. He was young and a little skittish so we went the long way around him before doubling back to begin pushing him back to the herd - which he seemed to have no desire or concern to join. But when we got him over the rise to where we could see the herd, suddenly his mama must have spotted him and realized he hadn't been near by as she thought. She trotted out of the herd, planted her feet square and then began bawling out to that calf.

Now all cows sound alike to me, but there was no question that little guy knew his mama's voice, and even I heard the "authority" with which she was bellowing. I guarantee that little guy didn't dilly-dally for a second but put her in gear and high-tailed it to mama!

It is said that Jesus spoke with "authority," and I have decided that when he called to Simon, Andrew, James and John - though they may have never met Him before - they knew His voice and followed. Seems to me Zebedee did, too, which may explain why there was no protest when the boys suddenly stood up and left the family business to follow this itinerant Rabbi (teacher) who had called his sons. He heard the authority in that voice - and maybe also the love. For, I recall, mama nuzzled her calf when he came home, and he trotted along beside her for the rest of the day, delighted to be with her.

I recall trying to explain to my dad many years ago why I was suddenly giving up a good job and promising career in Colorado to go east to New Jersey to attend seminary and become a pastor. Wish I had been cowboying with Goliath back then - I might have been able to explain it better. I heard Christ's voice calling with authority and I followed. My dad, like Zebedee, must have heard it, too, in time, for he never questioned it again.

There is no accounting for taste, and along with more than a few folks, I have wondered why on earth God would call me of all people. But like that little calf whose mama started calling him - I don't worry about what others think. I just know Someone is calling my name - and I race to answer the call.

(John Bruington, Goliath and Scout can all be reached at bruingtonjohn@gmail. com. You can download columns, the Bruin Town Tales for Kids, and the weekly sermon at http://www.havrepres.org. Copies of the book "Out Our Way: Theology Under Saddle" are available at Amazon.com.)