Scripture:
Mark 1:16-20
[16] Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. [17] And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” [18] And immediately they left their nets and followed him. [19] And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. [20] And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants
Observation:
I was looking for another scripture when I found this one, and it felt like this was what the Holy Spirit wanted me to write about this morning. So, I hop in the boat, and let’s go fishing. Jesus had just been baptized and then led into the wilderness for 40 days. To be tested at HIS moment of weakness. Finding HIMSELF by the sea of Galilee. HE starts putting together a group of men to help HIM in HIS ministry. Calling Simon and Andrew to follow HIM, they gladly drop their nets and begin the journey to a real life changing experience with Jesus. Just a short distance away. HE sees James and his brother John, repairing their nets from their previous fishing trip. The request must have been a little odd to them, but put in a language that they could understand. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. You can almost see the conversation back and forth between Simon and Andrew…what does HE mean fishers of men… I don’t know Andrew, but I bet if we follow HIM, we will find out. What do we have to lose? Simon Andrew James and John all walked away from the only life they had ever known that day to follow a man whom they had probably only seen a few short times. To an unknown place to be fishers of men. I mean, what is that, and how is it done? That had to be thinking… we are going to need a stronger net.
Application:
I remember the day I received my calling. I would like to say I answered it right away… but I didn’t. I ran for several years. Hiding deeper and deeper into addiction, hoping HE would just go away. But HE didn’t. HIS pursuit was relentless. HIS love, impossible to escape. HE has a plan for me and was going to stop at nothing to find my submission to that plan. HE wanted a relationship with me…and honestly, if you are reading this, that’s what HE wants with you as well. But it’s so much more than that as well. You see, the relationship HE builds with you is the bait for others. As my life changed. Those around me couldn’t help but notice, and knowing my inability to change it myself, they knew it had to be something beyond me that made the changes. HE had baited the line. My relationship with HIM was evident. Now I don’t want you to get me wrong. I am not saying I did anything, and I know I have a long way to go. However, HE has brought me so far already that it’s hard to imagine how great HE wants it to be. What I do know is that HE has called me out of the tomb of isolation, homelessness, poverty, depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and degradation. Into a life of fishing for men. Through a relationship with the only one who could have ever brought me out of all that trash. My point is this HE has called you out of the darkness into the marvelous light. When you are fishing, the fish has to be attracted to the bait. The bait is your relationship with Christ. The stronger your relationship with Christ is, the more peace you will have… and I don’t know about you, but peace is attractive to me. GOD has called you to fish for men it’s what HE has called us all to do. HE has lifted you in the right areas to attract the people whom you can reach. Live your life with Jesus in a way that brings people to HIM, not pushing them away. I could honestly go so deep with this SOAP, but for the sake of time, all I can say is… you have to love them into the kingdom… condemnation and judgment will get you nowhere. #TRUTH+GRACE=LOVE=JESUS
Prayer:
Father, you had a plan all along. You took some of us from a prison cell to a platform. Our lives are not our own. You bought them with a price. Help us to make what you have done appealing to those who have not experienced that life-changing moment when they have had an encounter with you. I know that you have a plan. I have seen part of it unfold in my life. Honestly, I can’t wait to see the rest. I’m sure the next 30 years are going to be even more exciting than the last 30. All I want to do is fish for you. Use my life as the bait that brings others to you. I know that all you are looking for is a willing heart… Father, we are willing. Bait the hook so we can drop a line. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.