Now, not later

As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers who were fishermen, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, catching fish in the lake with a net. Jesus said to them, ‘Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.’ At once they left their nets and went with him. (verses 18-20)

Read Matthew 4:18-25

I can imagine Jesus walking along the busy shore of Lake Galilee. Simon Peter and his brother Andrew are fishing close to the shore and others are preparing their nets to go out fishing later. Busy people in a busy scene, going about their daily lives.

The brothers look up and see Jesus. Perhaps they recognise him, for he is the talk of the local region, and they are curious about him.

Jesus stops. ‘Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people’, he says.

It was an amazing invitation. And there was an amazing response. We’re told that at once they left their nets and went with him. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t say they’d do it tomorrow or next week or some time later. They went immediately.

Jesus is calling you to follow him, too. He wants you to be his follower, and his request is urgent. Will you hesitate, or will you, like Peter and Andrew, say, ‘I’m coming now’?

Jesus, you have called me and I want to be your follower. Help me to play my part, too, in fishing for people. Amen.

By Grace Bock, in “Refreshment for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (2003)

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