Fishers of Men

"Come follow me;" the Master called
"And I will make you fishers of men."
They left their nets one by one;
To help free mankind from a life of sin.

Following the Lord was their desire;
To learn how to live with overcoming power.
And as Jesus taught; his will they sought.
And learned to serve him every day and hour.

We have been called to be fishers of men.
To cast out our nets in the deep.
There are souls without hope, dying in their sin.
But with the power of Jesus; they can be reached.

Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2002
J. P.'s Inspirations

   
In the Christian community, the greatest work which we can ever do is to reach souls and be fishers of men.   Jesus told his first disciples to "follow him and he would make them fishers of men."  These immediately left their own fishing nets and followed the Lord to be taught by Jesus how to help others find God.  Jesus started his earthly ministry with the very same words people had heard John the Baptist say.  He told them to "turn from sin and turn to God."   The message we are to proclaim is the very same today as in the day when Jesus and John spoke these words.  Becoming a follower of our Lord is to turn away from our own self-centeredness and "self" control by turning our lives over to the direction and control of Christ.  Then we are to help others find the Lord and teach them how to be disciples of Christ and over comers in this life.

These disciples were called from their productive trades to be spiritually productive for God.  We are all called to be fishers of men and if we follow the examples of Christ and put them into practice, we will be able to draw others to Christ as a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.   This is the example Christ was using to teach them how to reach souls through the power of his Holy Spirit leading them.  Peter and Andrew already knew Jesus, as he had been preaching in the area, so they willingly followed him and expected their lives to be changed forever by doing so.  James and his brother John also followed Jesus, and did not make excuses why it was not a good time.  They left at once to follow when he called.  Jesus also calls each of us to follow him and we are to be like the disciples and follow him without delay. 

Jesus was preaching, teaching and healing which were the three main aspects of his ministry.  His teaching shows us his concern for understanding, his preaching shows us his concern for commitment, and healing shows his concern for wholeness. The miracles he performed of healing authenticated his teaching and preaching and showed he was truly from God.

Today, we are to have a desire to "go fishing" for the Lord.  The sea of humanity has many fish just waiting for someone to present the bread of life to them.  As the old saying goes, "we are to catch the fish, but God cleans them."  'None are rejected and all are protected' who come to the Father.  Are we eager to go fishing for the Lord or content to hear about others who are successful?  This is a question we each have to ask of ourselves.  Soul winners are pleasing to the Lord and he who wins souls is called wise. 

May we be about the Father's business planting seeds that will be watered and bring forth an increase.  There will be a reward for those who win souls to the Lord and the angels in heaven also rejoice when they see the results of  successful fishers of men.  As we ask for God's direction, he will lead us to his selection of souls that are ready to yield unto his spirit.  If He is our Teacher and we follow His instructions in love and with concern for souls;  He will help us in all we do.  Thanks to the Lord for the examples He gives us that will never be outdated or obsolete.  The same teaching that Jesus used is written for our learning and understanding.  His words will endure forever.  There is a wind blowing all across this land of His Spirit.  Let our prayer be to rescue souls from the waves of the world and show them the way to the everlasting arms of Jesus.  He stands with outstretched arms to receive whosoever will come follow Him.

All glory and honor is due unto his name.