Matthew 4:19. “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'”
Too often we read these words and interpret Jesus’ as saying, “Follow Me, and I will make you a preacher,” or “…an evangelist.” But, maybe the emphasis should be on the word “MAKE” rather than on “FISHERS OF MEN.”
Jesus says, “Follow Me, and I will make you…” Maybe He was using the metaphor of fishing because that was the occupation of Peter and Andrew. They were fishermen!
To us, He says He will take whatever you find yourself doing, and will make it into something bigger. He says, “I will take whatever you are now doing and elevate it to Kingdom of God proportions.”
There is an innate desire in every heart for significance…for worth and value. We all want to grow, to become, to fulfill the purpose for which we are here on earth.
Jesus speaks to that need and says, “I will lead you into your destiny.” “I will MAKE you.”
This is not however a matter of curriculum or research. It is not a matter only of hearing a sermon or attending a meeting. It is a matter of FOLLOWING. It begins right now when you and I say, “Lord, I will follow You. I will do whatever You say. I will seek Your will and go Your way.”
It would be a mistake to prematurely pigeon-hole what “following” will look like for you. It does not mean entering a monastery or flying to Africa. It means surrendering your heart and your smallest decisions to God in Jesus’ Name.
I do not know what He will MAKE you, but I do know it will be fabulously fulfilling. And, I know that it begins with nothing more than FOLLOWING.
The FOLLOWING is the MAKING.