Are You a Fisherman for Jesus?

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is 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. And 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. Matthew 4:17-22 ESV

 Meditate. Consider fishing.

A bucket of fish from the Mediterranean Sea
at Joppa, Israel.
Would you fish for fish or disciples for Jesus?

 

Jesus promised those fishermen that He would make them fishers of men. He was allowing them 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? Are you a fisherman for Jesus?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I am following You—make me a fisher of men and women for You.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Are you giving up sweets for Lent? Well then, this is not the recipe for you!

We’ve had this wonderful cake a couple of times in South Carolina from the Charleston Bakery and Deli—a wonderful place in Summerville. Google them to see their great menu. Charleston Bakery & Delicatessen. If you like banana bread, you will love this. Some recipes add coconut, but it is scrumptious without that. This is a great cake to feast on after a day of fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, just lounging, or celebrating a special day. Rich and wonderful--good enough to share with family and friends alike. You could even serve it to new disciples of Jesus after a Bible study session!

 

Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients

Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup vegetable oil

1¹⁄₂ teaspoons vanilla extract

1(8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups chopped bananas

¹⁄₂ cup chopped pecans

 

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

¹⁄₂  cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions

1. Combine first five ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened.
2. Stir (not beat) in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
3. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9" round cakepans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the /////center comes out clean.
5. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
6. Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed, with an electric mixer,////// until smooth.
7. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy.
8. Stir in vanilla.
9. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top.
10. Store in refrigerator.

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

Portions are revised from July 19, 2017, Banquet With The King blog.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2025 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.   

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

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