#007 Fishers of Men

Matthew 4:18-25

In Galilee Jesus again finds the brothers Simon and Andrew. The first time they met in Judea, these two disciples of John the Baptist heard John say that Jesus was the Lamb of God. At that time they followed him and Simon got a new name - Peter. This is in the first chapter of the Gospel of John


That time they were invited to where Jesus lived. It was a call to salvation, the same invitation Jesus extends to every person when they first get in touch with him. "You want to know where I live? So come with me," is more or less what he says to every heart. It is an invitation to heaven.

At the reunion in Galilee, described by Matthew, the two are called to service. The order is always this: first you are invited to be saved, then to serve. First faith, then works; first forgiveness of sins, then the fruit of faith; first heaven, then earth.

Simon and Andrew were fishermen and Jesus calls them to be fishers of men. All they have to do is to follow Jesus.

The training and the power to turn them into fishers of men will come from God, not from a theological college or anything like that. They will no longer fish using nets. The nets are left behind. It is not to go out and arrest people, but rather free them. Walking with Jesus will make them live baits. They are called to bring out the flavor and fragrance of Jesus wherever they go.

The fisherman goes where the fish are, takes risks and makes no noise so as not to draw attention to himself. The fisher of men goes where the people are, and speaks of Jesus, forgiveness and salvation, not religion, morals or prosperity. The theme of the fisher of men is Jesus, the closest God ever has come to his creatures. And the good news is not a task list, but just the news that Jesus died and rose again to save and justify the sinner.

In this fourth chapter of Matthew's gospel two fishermen, James and John, are called to become fishers of men. They immediately leave the boat and their father, Zebedee, and go follow Jesus. Immediately! Jesus has priority.

Many entrepreneurs, politicians and artists of that time had their names erased by the dust of centuries. The names of the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John remain only because they had an encounter with Jesus, and were called to proclaim the good news of salvation. That is what the word "gospel" means. An encounter like this has eternal consequences.

Have you been caught? Have you been called? If so, welcome to the losers' club. In the next 3 minutes.