Over time as you study God’s Word you will discover that
there is a deeper meaning to almost everything Jesus says. As He called His
disciples He was specific in His choices and clear about His expectations. In
Mark 1:17 Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I
will make you become fishers of men”. Many of us were taught the Jesus used
this language because many of His students were previously fishermen (of fish)
and now they would catch people with
the life saving truth of Jesus. This is a good explanation but it goes much
deeper than that.
You see people of that time would have known the qualities
of a great fisherman. Jesus did to and knew these same qualities would be
needed in sharing the Gospel. I was recently reading an article by O S Hawkins who said that following Jesus means you’ll be expected to fish! Those same “fishing
traits” are what God looks for in His followers today.
Four traits of a real fisherman (and follower of Christ):
1. They are positive. Every day is a good day to catch a
fish (or witness).
2. They are persistent. They will never give up until they
catch a fish (or share the Gospel).
3. They are patient. They (both) will try different methods
to reach the goal, and wait as long as necessary.
4. They are passionate. They (both) hate to lose one!
Fishing, (following, evangelizing) is their life.
Jesus still uses
ordinary people to do things extraordinary for His kingdom and glory. Amen?
