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September 13

Fishers Of Men

Jesus saw two brethren, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. — Matt 4:18-19

It is thus that Christ adapts Himself to the understanding and the heart. He caught these fishermen with bait suited to them. Notice the undoubting certainty of His promise to make these two brothers fishers of men, casting their drag-net not into the waters of the sea of Galilee, but into the great ocean of humanity. How impossible it would have been to convince Peter then that within four years he would make the great haul of three thousand souls (Act 2:41). We never know what awaits us when we leave all to follow in obedience to the Master’s Call!

“Follow Me!” Our Lord is always making this challenge (Joh 21:19-22). It means bearing the cross, but we must be willing to follow Christ until, like Him, we fall into the ground and die—die to our own ambitions, our love of power and influence, our own strength and gifts, that we may make way for God to work through us. We must learn not to obtrude ourselves, but to lie hidden. The first, the second, and the third condition of successful fishing is to be hidden from sight. The best line and bait for catching men are those where the human element is out of sight, and our one aim is to serve Christ’s purpose, and to glorify Him.

There must be a leaving of our nets and boats, and even those who are nearest and dearest (Mat 4:20-23). It must have been something of a wrench for these brothers to leave their nets and fishing to follow Christ. But the attraction of His Personality prevailed. There is no difficulty in persuading men to surrender the lower and inferior article, if you can unfold to them the immense value of the Pearl of great price. Then they will gladly sell all that they have to buy it.


Prayer

Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies,
Saviour, make us hear Thy call.
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all. Amen.


Our Daily Walk - September 13

Public domain content taken from Our Daily Walk by F.B. Meyer.


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