By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Ready to Leave Their Nets

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“And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'”
Matthew 4:19 English Standard Version

I think everyone has heard a great fish story, about the size and quantity and difficulty of the catch.  But this fish story is very different than that.

Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee when he came upon some men fishing.  He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  These men were experts at catching fish.  They spent their time and energy and hard labor in catching those fish.  And Jesus of Nazareth, this new rabbi, chooses them to follow him.  And if they follow him, they will no longer be focused on catching fish, but on catching people.  Jesus will make them fishers of people.

And what was their response?  In that divine moment in their lives they left everything they had known, their boats, their nets, their work, and followed Jesus.  And they learned to fish for people, to bring them salvation in Jesus, the Good News of sins forgiven and new life in him.

Is the Lord calling you to follow him?  Is he calling you to leave what you are focused upon and instead learn to do his work?  What are you focused upon right now?  Is it making money, building financial security, chasing pleasure, looking good to others?  What is Jesus calling you to give up?  Where is Jesus calling you to focus on him?

When people tell fish stories it is often because they are trying to impress others with their fishing prowess.  What of your selfishness and pride needs to go away so that you can follow Jesus?  What of your old egocentric ways need to be dumped overboard so that you can be his disciple?

Lord, I confess that I am too often focused on me and my own goals instead of following you and your ways.  Thank you that you have called me to give up my old way of life and follow after you.  Thank you, Jesus, that I can trust you to lead me.  Amen!

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