Thursday, February 12, 2015
Mark 1:19-20 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
LET'S GO FISHING
Jesus chose ordinary people to be His disciples. He made "unimportant" fishermen into important fishers of men. Like the disciples, we too are ordinary people. We live ordinary lives, have ordinary jobs, and from the world's point of view, we are really not that important. As with His first disciples, Jesus still calls inexperienced average people to work with Him.
To most of us Jesus said, "Follow me" on the day of our baptism. In baptism God draws us to Himself. He moves us to repent, and assures us of Jesus' blood-bought forgiveness. Our Savior then promises to continue his presence in our lives, teaching us to live as His disciples and to be fishers of men-- to bring good news to hurting people wherever He gives opportunity.
Were the first disciples equipped to be disciples before they were called by Jesus? Nope, they had the equipment for catching fish, but not people! Jesus would equip them for their new calling. Jesus equips us for His fishing. He molds and our hearts and minds with His word. So Jesus gives us the tools we need to be fishers of men. He gives us the strength, wisdom, and skill to carry out His fishing.
Jesus said, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." This is a different kind of fishing. I don't know about you, but usually when I catch fish it doesn't turn out so good for the fish-- they die. When men are caught for Christ, they are delivered from death -- eternal death -- and granted eternal life. A different kind of fishing indeed!
Now that we've been caught, you and I are called by Christ to serve Him and to help to catch others. Our message: Repent and believe the Gospel. "See your sin ... now see your Savior Jesus." God has given us the message. May He also give us the earnest desire to freely give to others what we have so freely received.
