Follow and Fish

In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus sees men who are working their everyday jobs as fishermen. As Jesus walks by, calls out to them, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), and they IMMEDIATELY dropped EVERYTHING and followed after Jesus. These men were the first disciples of Jesus and they have given an amazing example for us to follow. From this passage we see that Jesus meets us where we are (Matthew 4:18), calls for us with purpose (Matthew 4:19), and that we must be willing to drop everything and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

In the culture of the time, it wasn't abnormal for a rabbi (teacher) to have followers who would travel with him, learn the teachings, and even mimic his traits. What stands out about this encounter is that instead of the student pursuing the teacher, Jesus sought out the men who would become His disciples and called them to Himself. There are times in our lives that the Holy Spirit calls out to us and convicts us, whether to take an action, to give something up, or to take the first step and accept the gift of salvation. It's our choice whether or not we will listen.

The first disciples set us an example. They dropped the comfort of their jobs, everything they knew, and even their families to follow after Jesus immediately. The same longing and desperation they felt to pursue the things of God is the same thirst and hunger we should have every day to listen to Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There have been times in my life when I knew what God was calling me to do, but I wanted to delay it for a time because I felt uncomfortable with the decision, not ready, or I didn't see how it could work. The truth is, we are never going to see how things will work out for good until we dive in and let God lead us through it. His plans are always better than ours and full of so much purpose. When we hold onto our comfort, we stunt our spiritual growth by "quenching the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22). To grow in faith in Christ, we have to be willing to step out in faith, surrender control, and let God lead (Proverbs 3:5-6).

What's our purpose in following? Jesus said it Himself, He will make us "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). We were never meant to have a "secret" relationship with Jesus. Instead, He trains us to live out the great commission and make more disciples out of all those around us (Matthew 28:19-20). Disciples making disciples. Making other Disciples is the natural response of a true follower of Christ. This doesn't mean sharing a quick plan of salvation with a waitress and then walking out of their lives forever, but instead, coming alongside others and training them up in the Word of God and encouraging them in their faith. Not that brief conversations aren't always divinely appointed, but if that person is willing to allow you to disciple them, then we have the responsibility to help them grow in Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)

So the question is ----- Are you truly following Jesus? Or are you quenching the Spirit? Have you become a fisher of men? Or are you stunting your growth in faith?