33. Four fishermen follow Jesus
– Matthew 4:18-22 & Mark 1:16-20
Matthew 4:18-19 “They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.”
As Christians, we are also called to be “fishers of men”. Initially, I thought our purpose as fishers was to cast out as big of a net as possible. To share with everyone God’s truth. Then, we would trust that God would provide us with the fish. It was all in God’s hands if someone listened to God’s truth and followed. But, it is more than that. You see, fishermen don’t blindly cast out their nets. They also don’t go to lakes where they know fish won’t bite. They are skillful in the way that they fish. Fishermen chose the perfect net, location, time, and day. They know what bait attracts what fish. In the same way, we must be wise about how we are “fishers of men”. The goal isn’t to cast the biggest net. The goal is to catch the most fish. These two goals are not the same. In order to catch the most fish, you must be wise with how you relay God’s truths to the world. Don’t clumsily cast your net. Don’t scare the fish away. Be careful. Practice God’s teachings and share his good news with those who are ready to hear it. Through your actions, you will draw people around you to be closer to God just like a fisher pulls fish into his boat. Use the gospel as a net to lift people out of dark waters. What waters have not been explored? Don’t be afraid to seek out people who may be difficult to find.
Matthew 4:20-22 “At once they left their nets and followed him… Jesus called them, and immediately that left the boat and their father and followed him.”
Peter, Andrew, James, and John did not follow Jesus blindly. They had met him previously and knew Jesus. It wasn’t until later that Jesus came to them and asked for them to follow him. God doesn’t want you to blindly follow him. He wants you to know him and trust him. Have faith for yourself that God is who he says he is. That way, when he calls you to follow him, you too will do so without hesitation. Be eager to follow him. You relationship with him will grow the more you follow him. As you follow him, he will reveal more and more about himself to you. Don’t let the devil get into your head and make excuses for why you shouldn’t follow him. Nothing on this earth should hold you back from him. Not your job, family, situation, timing, or relationships. Nothing is more important than your relationship with him.
