Fishers of Men – January 28, 2023

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. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Fishers of Men

The fishermen Peter and Andrew had met Jesus before. They seem to have been disciples of John the Baptist before they became disciples of Jesus. But John the Baptist gave Andrew a nudge in his Lord’s direction one day when he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) Andrew went and got his brother, and Jesus called them to not only be his followers but also into the work of being fishers of men.

Some of the most difficult fishing we do as Christians is to share our faith with a close relative such as a brother, sister, or spouse. There can be many reasons for this—lack of confidence because of something in the past, a concern not to get Christianity in the way of a relationship, or other factors. Our reasons may be legitimate, or they may be sinful, or we might even be uncertain which it is. But we take comfort in something Peter said about his Lord, the “lamb without blemish or defect,” when he assured us that “through [Jesus] you believe in God… for you have been born again… through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:19-23). It is the word of God that works. We simply do our best to let the word itself do the work and to present ourselves as living examples of faith in Jesus.

As his followers, Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. We don’t fish for our own benefit but for God’s kingdom. We are people-fishers, using the only bait that works: the good news about Jesus. The gospel always accomplishes what God wants it to. God’s word is powerful. It’s perfect. It’s effective. And it’s yours.

Prayer:
Jesus, when I have the opportunity to tell other people your word, give me the courage to speak and the ability to communicate the truth about you as Savior. Amen.