As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon
and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were
fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become
fishers of men." (Mark 1:16-17)
Following Jesus will change your
priorities because we are now a part of His mission plan. As Jesus called each one of His disciples
there was only one thing they knew for sure...they were going to follow
Jesus. There was no course syllabus,
there were no identifiable outcomes, and there was no “double-your-money-back
guarantee.” All they knew was they
trusted Him and were willing to go where He lead. How simple is that.
Peter, Andrew, James and John were
by vocation fishermen. The day Jesus
came calling they were busy with the ordinary things that kept them in
business…casting or caring for their nets. It was what they were comfortable
with. I doubt they ever dreamed of leaving the family business. But when Jesus came calling to be the leader
of their lives, all of a sudden their business was not as important. They
dropped their nets and followed.
So, when we follow Jesus, where
does He lead us? He leads us to
people...
Mark 1:23 there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit;
Mark 1:30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.
Mark 1:34a And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons;
Mark 1:23 there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit;
Mark 1:30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.
Mark 1:34a And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons;
When we follow Jesus He leads us
not to another place but to a another person.
Jesus says I will make you...I will cause you...to become fishers of
men.
Christ will lead us out of our
comfort zones into new areas of ministry in the body of Christ. Jesus
"yearned" to touch people. He was passionately consumed with the
needs of others and He leads whoever follows Him to also "yearn" to
reach out to people in their plights.
Jesus leads those who follow Him
to touch the lives of people. These
first followers were led immediately to begin confronting and meeting needs of
others. If we fail to make people the business of Jesus we fail to follow our
Leader. Being in the way with Jesus always leads to people. Jesus also leads us
to people who will pray, learn and serve alongside us. What would have brought a tax-collector, some
fishermen, and others of the twelve together had it not been for Jesus? Look at our congregation. Educators, bankers, accountants, law
enforcement, small business owners, corporate executives, ranchers, aerospace
engineers, city employees, homemakers, horse breeders, etc. Why would we meet together if it was not for
Jesus?
The promise of God to be with us
when we go and to speak through us when we speak is all that is required for
boldness. Many an individual who thought
they could never speak in public teach the Word of God today with boldness. Many who felt they could not face people who
were sick are praying and counseling cancer patients. Many who thought missions was for
missionaries are today on mission for Christ.
Jesus as the Leader of our lives has a distinct purpose to it…"I will make you become fishers of men."
Scripture to Claim
Immediately they left
the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Matthew 4:22
