January 5th Devotion

Good Fishing, Good Works

Matthew 4:19 (NIV) 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

There it is, nice and simple. “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” I heard His call in 1981. It wasn’t the same words. He said to me, “Yes, it is true, and I do love you.” My life changed forever. I think many Christians miss the point when the answer God’s call. While it is surely a call to repentance and salvation, we often focus on the “Salvation” part, at the expense of the “Repentance” part.

Consider “Fishers of Men”, and what that entails. I don’t know of any fish that actually want to be caught. It is the same with people. Catching fish is labor intensive, and requires quite a bit of preparations and equipment. Again, people are quite similar. Unfortunately, you do not catch fish, unless you purposely fish for them.

Fish bite at different times of the year or day, different weather conditions, water depth or temperature, and are attracted to different bates at different times. Are people so different?

Fishing can be expensive, and the fisherman often comes home with a pure catch or even empty handed. That too happens with people.

Finally, just like Peter and Andrew, following Jesus changed their lives forever. They simply became something else. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Are you following Jesus. If so, good fishing to you.

Love, Pastor Don