Series: Jesus in the Wilderness
Read: Matthew 4:18-22
One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to go on vacation to my Grandpa’s in Shady Valley, Tennessee. He had a pond in his backyard and we used to go fishing. Now, I have never been commercial fishing or even sport fishing, but my Grandpa’s pond was so small and so stocked with fish, it was almost impossible to cast without catching something.
One year, my dad realized how much we enjoyed fishing that he bought our entire family our own rods and reels. However, we didn’t have a pond in our backyard back at home. If we wanted to go fishing, it would require us to get a license, get all of the extra gear, and find a spot, and make the time to go and catch some fish. It wasn’t as easy as just waking up and walking outside, using someone else’s equipment, and knowing that the fish were literally in a barrel. In other words, we weren’t going to go fishing unless it was easy for us. Needless to say, we never even used the rods and reels my dad had bought.
When Jesus calls His disciples to be fishers of men, He’s not inviting them on a family vacation. He’s not offering to teach them a new sport or hobby. He’s talking to industrial fishermen and offering them a chance to learn how to prioritize the Kingdom of God. He’s not calling fair-weather followers.
Following Jesus
In all four of the Gospels there is a distinctive call for Jesus’ followers to sacrifice something in order to be a disciple. Some might come with stronger wording, like, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, leave father and mother, etc.” but they are all essentially the same. Here in Matthew’s Gospel, it is simple and straightforward. Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to leave their professions and careers as fishermen.
When I think of Jesus’ call, the one that comes most prominently to my mind is the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18. Here, this Pharisee asks what is required to enter into the kingdom of heaven and Jesus tells him that he has to sell everything that he owns and give it to the poor. Feeling discouraged, the young man left. Jesus then tells His disciples that it’s harder for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of God than for a poor man.
That is one of the significant details in this story of why Jesus called fishermen rather than Pharisees. It must have been hard for the religious leaders to leave their comfortable life of luxury, while fishermen were much more attracted to the prospects of leaving their hard labor behind for a better life. But don’t think that it was simply a decision of convenience for the disciples. Leaving their careers would cost them everything in this world.
What I think is equally significant about the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18 is the very next story in the following chapter. Here we find out that Zacchaeus, a tax collector, responds to Jesus’ call by repaying all of the money he defrauded without Jesus even asking him to do so. The point is that those who see the greater value of Christ will not hesitate to respond in obedience. Matthew could have told this story himself, he was in fact a tax collector when Jesus called him, but I suppose it would have been a strange way to frame discipleship had Jesus said, “Leave your tax collecting. Follow me and I will make you an usher in the Church.”
Turning Fishermen into Fishers of Men
The point of Jesus calling fishermen and telling them that He will make them fishers of men is that He is contrasting the differences in the two kingdoms. This is the most important point that is often overlooked. The overarching story in the Gospel of Matthew is that Jesus is the King and He is inviting us into His Kingdom. Jesus is pointing this out in the simplest of terms when He calls His disciples to change their vocations while using a parallel analogy.
There are two kingdoms and Jesus is calling us to take our eyes off of this world and live under a completely different rule. Only when we fully understand this can we actually be effective in both kingdoms.
Jesus says that He will make His disciples fishers of men. This is a greater calling because it has eternal ramifications. It doesn’t mean that it isn’t essential to harvest fish for food, but there is something greater than fish, something greater than bread. It is something that we will not see as long as we are looking at and treasuring the things of this world. That is why Jesus tells His disciples to leave their nets, and in the case or James and John, leave their father behind.
This passage has been rightfully used throughout history to motivate people to be witnesses and share their faith. It highlights the greater importance of winning souls rather than simply feeding people. While we cannot neglect caring for people’s physical needs, it should never come as a higher priority to meeting people’s spiritual needs.
Are We Ready to Follow Jesus?
This passage also comes with a biting commentary on our own priorities for the kingdom of earth over the Kingdom of Heaven. We will read this passage and nod our heads that the most important thing is to be fishers of men rather than fishermen, but where do we dedicate most of our time, energy, and effort? An easy way to analyze this is to ask your family, spouse and children, to tell you what they think your highest priority in life is.
Even worse, how more likely are we to get into a conversation with someone about politics rather than the gospel? How likely are we to confront someone who isn’t wearing a mask rather than tell them they are lost and going to hell. I have been confronted more times than I can count on whether I am going to get the vaccine or not. That is a very personal and weighted question. Yet, people are much more comfortable asking that than they are asking if I know where I am going when I die.
This is a time for self evaluation. We have to ask ourselves, are we prioritizing the Kingdom of Heaven over our own kingdom? If we are not catching any fish, can we even call ourselves followers of Christ?
I believe that now is the best time to be a Christian witness. People are anxious and fearful. They are starting to realize that their needs are greater than they can bear. There is a need that is begging to be met. This world, along with every institution, has failed humanity. People are overwhelmed by darkness and are looking for hope.
Here is something you can do this week that might make a difference. Call, text, or write a friend, family member, or neighbor. Ask them these three questions: How are you doing physically? If there is a way that you can help them, do it. How are they doing emotionally? Listen to their concerns and comfort them. How are they doing spiritually? You will be surprised that by the time you get to the third question, how open they will be to open up an opportunity for you to share with them the gospel. Then offer to pray with them right then and there.
In order to do this, we first need to be followers of Jesus. We need to walk with Him, spend time with Him, and learn from Him. Only then will we know how to offer hope for the hurting, peace for the broken, and salvation for mankind.
Adam Miller is the president and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church. This article is a condensed version of one of his sermons.