“Too many coaches, not enough players” would be an apt description of the motley crew Jesus chose to be his beloved Apostles. Like so many of us, they were more interested in making something of themselves, than in following the Master. James and John wanted to be seated on His right and left hand. Judas dreamed of dollar signs and the rest argued among themselves as to who would be the greatest. No wonder in the 21st chapter of John, the Resurrected Christ did something to bring them back to their first, highest, and ONLY call: “Follow Me.”
Within that original call (as is always the case), were underlying principles essential to making their future ministries both fruitful and effective. In Luke chapter 5 we read that the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. When Jesus found them, they were cleaning their nets and packing it up for the day. However, as far as Jesus was concerned, their day was far from over. “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (verse 4). You can imagine what was going through their minds. “What does this carpenter know about fishing?” If nothing more than to humor Him, they complied. What followed was life changing.
And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking (verse 6). When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (verse 8)
Now the PRINCIPLES:
1. We have fished all night and caught nothing…
You’ll never know better than Jesus about ANYTHING! Don’t even try.
(That includes everything natural as well as spiritual).
2. Nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.
Obedience to Christ is essential in EVERYTHING! The sooner the better.
3. Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!
None of us in ourselves is worthy to be His disciple.
That’s a privilege and an honor.
4. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
The call is to FOLLOW. Jesus will do the MAKING.
Some years later, a bit bewildered and confused, a handful of disciples returned to doing what they knew best – fishing for fish. Though recent events had brought many changes into their lives, Christ’s call over them had never changed. He came to remind them.
Many of us have found that it’s one thing to know the call of God, it’s another to understand how He plans to work it out in our lives. The Apostle Paul teaches us to pray not only to be filled with the knowledge of His will, but also to seek for wisdom and spiritual understanding as well (Col. 1:9). Things often turn out very different from what we expect. God may give us the CALL, but He keeps the BLUEPRINT.
At times when ministry feels like a lifeless chore, with little joy and even less fruit, it’s then that Jesus reminds me to get back to the call. It’s not my performance that’s lacking, but rather my following. I’m either lagging behind or running ahead. I’ve become too busy to spend ample time at His FEET, in His PRESENCE, over His WORD. Like the Prodigal, I must return to my Father and say, “Make me” instead of “Give me” (Luke 15). Follow me, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men.
A good “Life Verse" can be found in John 12:26: If any man will serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. God may use my gifts and talents but it’s me that He wants.
So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:11).
Let us do the same.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am grateful that You ever called me to follow You. Let me be humbly obedient as I stay close to Your side, allowing You to do whatever You wish in and through me.
