Matt. 4:19 "'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'"
Jesus is calling his first disciples. He sees Peter and Andrew fishing in the Sea of Galilee and he tells them to come and follow him. Immediately they leave their nets and follow Jesus. I used to think that was bizarre when I was a kid-that they just up and followed Jesus like that. It seemed Jesus hypnotized them! Later I learned that as a rabbi these young men would be eager to be his disciple. And a rabbi did not recruit followers. In any event, Jesus calls them to come and fish for men instead of fish.
I can't let go of the image of Peter going fishing again after the crucifixion in John 21. James Brown did such a great job of teaching on this passage last week at "Big Church." Initially Jesus calls Peter to come and fish for men in Matthew 4. But as soon as Jesus dies and the game appears to be over, Peter returns to the boat in John 21. His faith has failed. What boat am I tempted to return to? Jesus calls us all to fish for men and leave the walleye behind!
Dear Lord, help me to always fish for men and leave the walleye behind. Amen.
Jesus is calling his first disciples. He sees Peter and Andrew fishing in the Sea of Galilee and he tells them to come and follow him. Immediately they leave their nets and follow Jesus. I used to think that was bizarre when I was a kid-that they just up and followed Jesus like that. It seemed Jesus hypnotized them! Later I learned that as a rabbi these young men would be eager to be his disciple. And a rabbi did not recruit followers. In any event, Jesus calls them to come and fish for men instead of fish.
I can't let go of the image of Peter going fishing again after the crucifixion in John 21. James Brown did such a great job of teaching on this passage last week at "Big Church." Initially Jesus calls Peter to come and fish for men in Matthew 4. But as soon as Jesus dies and the game appears to be over, Peter returns to the boat in John 21. His faith has failed. What boat am I tempted to return to? Jesus calls us all to fish for men and leave the walleye behind!
Dear Lord, help me to always fish for men and leave the walleye behind. Amen.
