We are Fishers of Men

Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”  Mark 1:17

I'm not sure which is the more amazing statement.  That Jesus called these simple men to be His followers, or the next verse:  "They immediately left their nets and followed Him."

There was something about Jesus.  Something that was dynamic, interesting, unique.  He wasn't like anyone else.  Nothing else could explain why these men would throw away everything, to follow a stranger.  There had to have been something special about Him!

Of course, we know now that He was God - pretty special, indeed!  But they didn't know Him yet.  But as they watched Him over the next days, weeks, months - as they saw Him heal the sick, raise the dead, preach to the masses - they saw Him.  Really, really saw Him.

Just like He really, really saw them - straight to their hearts, before He even glanced their way.  He knew their thoughts, their pasts, their futures, their potentials.  That's why He called them! 

He knew they would fail Him.  Deny Him.  Betray Him. Yet He called them anyway. 

He knows you, too.  He knows all you've done.  All you are doing.  All you will do.  And yet, He is calling you, too. 

Really, because of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, we are all called to be fishers of men.  We are called to bait that hook and reel it in.  We bait that hook by living lives that are pleasing to God, reflecting His light, being salt of the earth.  We reel them in by being beautiful to the world, with peace that surpasses understanding, standing on a firm foundation, loving the unlovable.  That kind of spirit calls out to a hurt and dying world.

We are to be beautiful feet, as the prophet Isaiah said:

How beautiful on the mountains
   are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
   who bring good tidings,
   who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
   “Your God reigns!” 
isten! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
   together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion,
   they will see it with their own eyes. (Isaiah 52:7-8)

Are you ready to be a fisherman?