“Follow Me,

And I Will Make You Fish For People.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-22

Every year graduating high school seniors send their college application letters. They hope they will get accepted. Such was also the case in the time of Jesus. Local Jewish boys hoped they could attend rabbinical schools. Some did not make the grade and they ended up working in the family business. Such was the case with Simon, Andrew, James, and John.

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus sought out the men the local rabbi had rejected. Instead of targeting the best and the brightest, Jesus offered an invitation for them to “fish for people.”

Jesus extends the same honor to you and I, not because we are the best and brightest, but because He needs ordinary people like us to model His life and to lovingly rescue people on His behalf. So, follow Him and let Him make something of your life!

Even the ordinary and the outcast can make the cut to follow Jesus.

Our Daily Bread – May 14, 2009