“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. There were casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. ‘Come follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once, they left their nets and followed him."  - Matthew 4:18-22.

In 2005, Kyle MacDonald started out with a single red paper clip. Over the course of the year, he continued to trade up for increasingly more valuable items until he eventually traded a rare, collectable snow globe for a new house. Quite impressive, right?

I don’t think letting go of a red paper clip would be all that difficult, especially if I knew I was getting something superior. But what about letting go of something I really care about for something of unknown value? That would be a different story – one that involves me hanging on, white knuckled, with every ounce of strength I have.

I think that’s why I find this passage so astounding. Simon and Andrew weren’t just fishing because it was their hobby or a way to connect with each other. They were fishing because it was their job. Their livelihood. What they depended on for food and shelter. And it’s while they’re fishing that Jesus calls them to follow. Not when they retire, or even when they’re done for the day. He calls them as they were casting a net into the lake.

But Jesus doesn’t tell them to simply drop their nets and follow him. This summons comes with a holy commission and a promise to equip them for it. He says, “Follow me. I will make you fishers of men.” It’s important to quickly note that this scenario is quite different from the cultural norms of that day. Typically, disciples would apply and hope to be chosen to follow a rabbi. Disciples would be excellent students - the cream of the crop. Instead we see Jesus approach fishermen, calling them to follow, and offering them a transformed life and purpose.  

Even more surprising, the text tells us, these two brothers drop their net “at once” to follow Jesus. I’m not sure if they were filled with amazing faith, or if there was something in the air that day, but they left their full-time jobs, their homes and their families behind for full-time commitment to Jesus.

Similarly, Jesus draws near to us and calls us to himself. He doesn’t wait for us to be qualified, because we never can be. His call comes with a commission for his eternal work and a promise to equip us for it. He promises us that he will fill us with more than we can ever work for to satisfy ourselves.  

But I know my tendency is to hang on to whatever I’ve got in my hands, or keep reaching for what I want, instead of letting it go to follow his lead. I doubt that whatever Jesus has for me is actually better. When his call to leave behind whatever I’m tangled up in comes at a cost, I tend to doubt I’m actually trading up. I think I’ll hang on to that red paperclip, thank you very much.

What helps me to let go in these moments is to remember what Jesus traded to rescue me. He traded heaven and glory for brokenness and death. He traded power and dominion for humility and humanity. He traded down so we could trade up.

And he has an incredible vision for our lives. One that requires us to let go of whatever is holding us back from full commitment to him. Perhaps is a hobby or a dream, a worldview or a relationship, pride or doubt. But if he’s asking you to let go, it’s because he wants you to trade up to what he’s offering: abundant life through him.

Let’s trade up.

What are you clinging to today that might be hindering you from full commitment to Jesus?

How does remembering what Jesus traded for you help you to let go today?