Life…in the Words of Jesus: Follow Me
Then [Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19
Recommended Reading: Matthew 16:24
Modern anglers use different ways to catch fish: cane poles, fly rods, spin casting, trotlines, and more. They all have one thing in common: catching one fish at a time. These were not the methods used by the fishermen Jesus called to follow Him. They used nets to catch many fish at one time. Jesus used their vocation to illustrate what He was calling them to do: become fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22).
Yes, conversions to Christ are made one person at a time. But Peter used his “net fishing” method at Pentecost to “catch” three thousand souls at one time (Acts 2:41). He proclaimed new life in Jesus, the Messiah, to a massive audience and saw thousands respond and enter the Kingdom of God. When we choose to follow someone, we adopt the leader’s goals and values. When the fishermen laid down their nets and followed Jesus, they embraced His mission of sharing God’s love with an entire world. Their focus shifted from temporal to eternal priorities.
If we choose to follow Christ, we are choosing His goals and values. And that means becoming soul winners—“fishers of men”—just as He was.
All true evangelism is theology in action.
J. I. Packer
No comments:
Post a Comment