CASTING NETS | Frank Becker

Week Sixteen, 2018

While walking 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 fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22

Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a sea or more appropriately a large lake. Fishing boats and nets dotted the coastline, as the sea is full of fish and fish were a main staple of all of Palestine.

The fish would be caught, salted for preservation and then journey to places like Jerusalem for consumption. Fishing was the main source of income for those in the area. Fishermen were not employed, but rather derived their income in exchange for the number of fish they caught, so basically if they didn’t catch fish, they didn’t eat.

Jesus came upon two brothers, Simon and Andrew who were fishing (earning income) at the time and simply said, “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him. Then they came upon two others, James and John, who were mending their nets (equipping their tools to earn income). Jesus called out to them an invitation to follow Him and immediately the brothers followed, leaving their boat, their nets and their father.

All four followed immediately, not knowing what was ahead or how they would earn a living. They simply answered the call in blind faith. They didn’t wait to secure their boat, store their nets or bid farewell to their family. They responded immediately.

In the same way, Jesus is calling us to follow Him, not tomorrow, next month or once we stop to get all of our ducks in a row. He calls us to follow Him immediately.

Following Jesus takes more than simply believing in him or doing what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer — He wants you to be his disciple and friend. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus seeks after us. He comes to meet us and beckons us to follow him. He calls us to be his disciples, to trust him, to open ourselves to his merciful love, and to love others as he has loved us.

Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. What does following Jesus look like for you? What would it look like if we followed Christ like the first disciples? Jesus said, “Follow me” and immediately they left their nets and followed Him. They left their boat and left their father to follow Him. What nets do you have in your life to leave behind? Who would you abandon to follow Jesus? What impact could we have on the world if today everyone who claims to follow Christ actually dropped everything…. their plans, their pleasures, their position without looking back? Will you follow in obedience like the first disciples?

What nets do you have to cast away to follow Jesus?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

NEIGHBORLY:

Nearly 30% of Americans don’t know their neighbor’s first name, according to a 2017 survey by home security company Safe Home. That’s a shame! Especially since being friendly with those on your block has a range of benefits ranging from boosting your mood to actually protecting you from a heart attack.

After all, your neighbors don’t just conveniently live nearby; they also have diverse talents you can tap. (“Hello, doc! So glad you moved in next door! Can you look at this thing on my arm?”) They have appliances you can borrow. (Why not test the Instant Pot before you actually buy one?) And if you’re lucky, they’ll offer invaluable kindness that will extend much further than the occasional cup of sugar—and save you money in the process.

You can save big bucks on house sitters, baby sitters, and pet sitters. When you need someone to watch your loved ones, keep an eye on your house, or check your mail, it’s easiest—and cheapest—to head next door.

When we go on vacation, your neighbors and watch each other’s house, so no cost for a house sitter.”

If you’re friendly with your neighbors, you might be able to ask them for rides to and from the airport or other places you need to go.

Certain home problems—especially ones that involve water or fire—are time-sensitive. Every minute can cost you a little bit more. If you know the neighbors around you well enough, they’ll be your eyes and ears when you’re not home.

How well, if at all, do you know your neighbors?

–o–

Three facts to stir you up:

1. 80% of what you do every day could be done by anyone.

2. 15% of what you do every day could be done by someone else with a little coaching.

3. 5% of what you do is stuff only you can do. How you spend that 5% matters.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

The greatest difficulty in conversion is to win the heart to God; the greatest difficulty after conversion is to keep the heart with God.” (John Flavil)

Ponce de Leon was looking for the fountain of youth, but the Bible provides the fountain of life.

When we spend time in the Bible, it becomes our Joy.

The Bible meets the challenges of life in a Biblical way.

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Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

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