Fishermen
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20
In the Sea of Galilee, like a stone dropped in a pond, the ripples of Jesus' ministry begin to go out. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, recruits His first and foremost disciples to join Him in His mission. In a single stroke, He changes their identity and purpose from fishermen to fishers of people.
It’s a reminder that intrinsic to the kingdom of God is growth - numeric growth. Jesus didn’t come to just do His thing. He came that many would believe. And this growth in number will primarily come through the sending out of servants of God, fishermen, teachers, tradies, engineers and social workers. Through people who see that Christ has changed their identity and purpose.
For some this will mean leaving their more literal nets to become pastors, missionaries and to take on other roles for the growth of the kingdom. For others, it is more symbolic. But all who encounter Christ have been sent to live in a world as foreigners and strangers, proclaiming by life, word and deed that Christ was sent first to save sinners and bring about the kingdom of God.
That makes us all fisher’s of people. Sent by the King Himself for the most noble of tasks. To see sinners saved from terrifying eternal torment to the wondrous gift of eternal life. And to send them back out into the world as disciples of the King to go and fish for more.
For Today:
Pray:
Matthew 4:18-20
In the Sea of Galilee, like a stone dropped in a pond, the ripples of Jesus' ministry begin to go out. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, recruits His first and foremost disciples to join Him in His mission. In a single stroke, He changes their identity and purpose from fishermen to fishers of people.
It’s a reminder that intrinsic to the kingdom of God is growth - numeric growth. Jesus didn’t come to just do His thing. He came that many would believe. And this growth in number will primarily come through the sending out of servants of God, fishermen, teachers, tradies, engineers and social workers. Through people who see that Christ has changed their identity and purpose.
For some this will mean leaving their more literal nets to become pastors, missionaries and to take on other roles for the growth of the kingdom. For others, it is more symbolic. But all who encounter Christ have been sent to live in a world as foreigners and strangers, proclaiming by life, word and deed that Christ was sent first to save sinners and bring about the kingdom of God.
That makes us all fisher’s of people. Sent by the King Himself for the most noble of tasks. To see sinners saved from terrifying eternal torment to the wondrous gift of eternal life. And to send them back out into the world as disciples of the King to go and fish for more.
For Today:
- Do you see yourself as a ‘fisher of people’?
- Who is one person you have encouraged to check out Jesus?
- Who is someone you could pray for?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He sent His Son to fish for us.
- Give thanks for Jesus Christ who died that we might be saved.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others fish for people.
Posted in Matthew
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