Fishing for People

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”   At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Fishing for people.  Dropping everything and following Jesus.  These are surprising statements to me.  How could Peter and Andrew, and also in the following verses, James and John, just walk away from their work, their fathers, their livelihoods… to follow Jesus and do this strange and confusing task to “fish for people”?

What had they seen or heard of Jesus that compelled them to follow him?  What was that encounter with Jesus which gave them the courage to leave behind their homes, families, and stability, in order to become his disciples?  We read in Luke’s gospel about a miraculous catch of fish.  We read in John’s gospel that John the Baptizer, called Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” -John 1:29  Perhaps it was all of these encounters together that caught their attention, fueling the desire to leave everything to follow Jesus.

When, in your own life, has God gotten your attention, giving you a call to accomplish a task or make a choice about your future that seemed surprising to others?  Or perhaps everyone else in your life had seen that choice as a good option for you, but you were the last one to know?  As we continue our series, “What are you seeking?” I keep asking myself where is God leading us?  What is God growing in us?  What are WE seeking as a church?  Are we ready to drop everything and go in a direction that God is leading?  Or are we just making that next right step in the direction of following Jesus?  I encourage you this week to look at priorities, look at how you spend your time, look at what you are reading or following online… are you following Jesus?  Jesus’ calling in your life might surprise you.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.