Immediate Response

Modern Fisherman at the Sea of Galilee

Casting his net.

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:18-23 NASB

Jesus promised those fishermen that He would make them fishers of men. He was giving them the opportunity to become His disciples…followers of Himself. Those fishermen likely had heard about Jesus and His baptism. His powerful healing ministry began right after He called His first disciples. At Jesus’ invitation and promise, I will, those fishermen responded…Immediately. They didn’t hang around and finish their day of fishing, mending their nets or saying so long to their Dad. They dropped what they were doing and went with Jesus. They got to be with Jesus as He began His teaching, preaching and healing ministry. What a great opportunity for them. We can only read about it now…but we can still respond, like those fishermen more than 2,000 years ago. We can follow Jesus and become fishers of men. There is a song that children are still learning…I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me. What does it mean to “follow” Jesus today? To be like Jesus—showing love, kindness, goodness, mercy and grace to those we live with and those we meet along the way. Jesus expects His followers to be obedient to His teachings and commandments. He also expects us to make disciples of others—to teach them to follow Jesus’ words and ways.

This scripture passage tells us of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. At the end of His ministry He tells His disciples…

Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 

Do you consider yourself a disciple…a follower…of Jesus Christ? Are you making disciples of others, teaching them to obey Jesus’ commands?

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus, just like You taught and spoke with your followers on the Road to Emmaus, speak to me and open my mind to understand the Scriptures. From Luke 24:45. I want to follow You,  listen to You, obey your commands, and tell others about  power and glory . Great are You Lord, and greatly to be praised….Psalm 48:1. 

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 29-31;  Psalms 48 

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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