As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18
No one outside their own small fishing village knew them. They were just two young brothers trying to make a living at commercial fishing. Then Jesus gave them an invitation that changed their lives forever. It’s an invitation He also gives to you.
- Come! Before Jesus can do anything in your life, you must begin to move in His direction. The whole of the Christian life involves coming to Him—culminating in that great day when you will live with Him forever.
- Follow! When you start following Jesus, you do not know where you will go. But, one thing is for sure, you will go with Him. Better to go with Him than anyone else!
- Me! Jesus does not call you to follow an ethical system, a religious ideal, or a code of restrictions. His invitation is personal. It calls for exclusivity—follow Him, and no other.
- And! Jesus has more in mind for you than just being a follower. The “and” connects you to a larger meaning for your existence. Without the “and,” you are only responsible to follow, but He has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself.
- I! Jesus proposes to take charge of your life. All of us have family and friends who influence us—but Jesus brings deep change. We know Simon and Andrew because they were known first to Jesus. He revolutionized their lives, as He also seeks to revolutionize yours.
- Will! Jesus does not say “may.” There is no uncertainty in His voice. You can rely on His ability to transform you.
- Make! From the Gospels, it is clear that the making didn’t happen all at once. He may have to demolish some stuff in your life in order to make room for His splendid purposes, but you will love the makeover of His finished work in you.
- You! That means you specifically! His call is not generic—it is personal. He knows your name and what you are doing with your life, just as He knew the names and occupations of His first disciples.
- Fishers! Simon and Andrew, by trade, fished. That is the only natural ability ever noted of them. You probably are not a fisher, but you have some interests, some talents. Jesus will build on what you offer Him.
- and 11. Of Men! Is wealth your goal? Then accumulate things. Is being smart your goal? Then gather facts. Is fame what you seek? Then find whatever brings you attention. But, Jesus offers something far better than wealth, smartness, or fame. He calls you to people.
These eleven words in the English text of Mark’s gospel changed the destiny of Simon and Andrew. They dropped everything at once and followed Jesus.
What will you do? Jesus comes to you as He did to these two young brothers. They never regretted accepting His invitation, and neither will you.
A Prayer: May I truly follow You, Lord Jesus. I don’t want to run ahead of You, away from You, or lag behind You. I want to stay close to You because I am only at my best when I keep You just in front of me.
Excerpted from Dr. Wood’s book, Fearless: How Jesus Changes Everything, available from Vital Resources.
The post Come, Follow Me appeared first on Dr. George O. Wood.