Starting a Journey with Jesus, Day 13 (Matthew 4:18-22)
Jesus invited two sets of brothers, all fishermen, to come and journey with him. You are invited to continue the journey too.
Walking beside Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were throwing their nets into the lake, for their work was fishing. Jesus said to them, “Follow after me. I’ll make you a fisher of men.” Right away they left their nets and followed him.
A little ways further he saw another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets, and Jesus called them to follow. They immediately left behind the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-22)
Matthew likes twos. Here we get two sets of two brothers, both from fishermen families. The call is to come and follow — all four respond immediately and leave behind fishing and family to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not mystical or esoteric. It is simple obedience, responding to the call. Come, follow me. I’ll make you a fisher of men.
Catching fish requires persistence and hard work. The result of good fishing is people get fed. Fishing for and catching people with God’s grace, for the sake of His love, also requires persistence and hard work. The result is salvation for many.
Are you willing to follow him? As you continue this journey, ask yourself that question.
Prayer: Father, I am willing. I will follow you and I am grateful for your call. Give strength, purpose and meaning to my obedience. Fill me with your love and teach me again what it is and how to show it. I love you, Lord. I will follow You. Amen.