Continuing our walk to Jerusalem, I am reminded of one of the Sunday school songs I sang as a child: "I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men, I will make you fishers of men if you follow me, if you follow me, if you follow me..."
"Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14-15 NIV).
When Jesus announced that "the time has come" to begin His ministry, we are told by John Mark that He first encountered friends near the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was not shy about spreading the Good News He had to share.
"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen."Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him," (Mark 1:16-20 NIV).
The Sunday school song I used to sing was perfect for teaching children about Jesus, complete with actions and plenty of repetition. It was easy to picture Jesus and His followers walking together along the Sea. What better directions could we receive than to, "Follow Me".
Beyond being a believer, we are still called to follow Jesus and be fishers of men, inviting others to come along with us in our journey of faith.
Oh God, as we begin a new week, help us to be fishers of men to the Kingdom of God. Give us courageous voices to speak our faith to others. Help us follow Jesus in every step we take. Show us those who need to know the Good News, and let us speak boldly to show them how to follow the Great Fisher of Men, Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
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