SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
“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 4:19-20]
It was an ordinary day at work for Simon and Andrew, until Jesus came along.
Their lives were both typical and predictable, until Jesus came along.
This Jesus calls them to something new, a whole new agenda for their lives.
‘Fish for people’?
Jesus is using their own lives as an illustration for what He wants them to do.
The idea of catching people with nets is disturbing, and if we push the analogy too far it is even worse – catch them for selfish purposes, to eat them?
Sadly, many people have done this very thing, using ‘conversion’ of others for their own profit or advantage, to build their own ‘kingdoms’, to fatten their own pockets.
As we observe the life and work of Jesus, we do not see this.
Jesus does not send out His followers to ‘catch’ people but to ‘rescue’ them.
And they are not to use force or pressure, but grace and mercy.
The people (fish) are to be respected, and granted the freedom not to be caught.
He lets them know that there is a safer pond to swim, and even allows them to experience it, but no one is forced to join Him in His pool.
God’s heart is behind Jesus’ mission, and it is behind the mission of His followers too.
Satan lures and entices us (and Jesus) with deception and trickery, while Jesus invites people openly, honestly.
Satan promises a life of ease, though it actually leads to bondage and misery.
Jesus warns of hardship and self-denial, though it actually leads to freedom and joy.
Come, follow Me, invites Jesus, join me in My life of self-denial for the sake of others.
Stop existing in a predictable, pointless way, and experience the life of love and service.
In Simon and Andrew’s case, it meant leaving their nets – though they did fish again.
For us it will mean leaving our jobs as jobs, and taking them up as kingdom tasks.
In other words, see your job into a calling, a worker for Jesus.
Use what you do to help others experience Jesus’ grace and mercy.
No force or pressure, just an honest presentation of love and kindness.
And people will be free to consider whether the pond you are swimming in is better than theirs.
And it is!
PRAYER:
Lord, help us to see what we do in light of You, especially people who have a hard time seeing their work as a calling.
God’s Word.
The power of God’s Word.
Jesus was tempted by satan regarding God’s goodness, God’s power and God’s glory and satan was defeated with the Word. That’s power. That’s awesome.
That Word also brought the whole creation into being. That’s power.
That Word also called His disciples and they responded immediately.
That Word also brought healing.
People responded to that Word without question. They came and were healed and followed. Disciples. Followers of the Word. Followers of the Way. Followers today.
Help me to live that Word today Lord as I continue to follow You in the power of the Word. All followers, Christian by name, continue to LightShine Your Way today. Make me an instrument of Your love. Help me on my Way today.
WordPower. GodStrong. LiveStrong.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.