“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matthew 4:19

Andrew turned around to see Jesus looking at them.  He had never seen anything like this man before.  Jesus’ gaze captivated his attention and drew him in.  The fisherman had been given an invitation to join this man – to walk with him, live with him, eat with him and learn from him.

One of Andrew’s friends saw that he was considering taking this man from Nazareth up on his offer.  “You aren’t actually thinking about going with this guy, are you?”  The question was asked but not heard.  Andrew made up his mind to trust his life to Jesus.  He was willing to give up everything he had dreamed for his future because he saw something in Jesus he couldn’t ignore.

“Without delay” he left and followed Jesus.  “At once” and “immediately” is how the Gospels record Andrew’s response to the invitation.  There was no hesitation, no indecisiveness.  He knew right away that he wanted to be with Jesus; nothing else mattered.

What Did They See in Him?

The men Jesus called from along the beach in Matthew 4 must have seen something special in Jesus, for with few words and very little time to weigh the options, they made a decision that changed the course of their lives.  They didn’t give up just one day; they laid down their entire future with “no hesitation.”

                  They Saw a Future

Andrew and the others were at the Sea of Galilee working on their nets, having just come in from a day of fishing.  They were not fishing for recreation’s sake but for their livelihood.  Fishing was how they earned their living, fed their families, and had they not met Jesus, it was the course they had chosen for their future.

In a moment all that changed.  Jesus walked past and called out to them.  His request was simple.  “Follow me.”  Yet the ramifications of their response would change their live.  If they chose to walk with Jesus, they would have to step out of their comfort zones, and walk by faith.  They would be giving up their occupations and their parts in the family business (Mark 1 records they had hired men).  Everything about their daily routine and long-range goals would be revolutionized.  But something they saw in Jesus made the decision easy for them.

Although they had very little knowledge of Jesus before this moment, what they saw in him made them willing to trust him with their future.  “How can I stay here and fish when I have the chance to go with him?” they may have thought to themselves.  “Nothing I have known in the past will compare to what I will know if I follow Jesus.”

                  They Saw Love

When the fishermen considered following Jesus, they were willing to give up all of their family relationships.  Every source of love and support they had ever known was left behind the day that they set out to follow Jesus.

When they looked at Jesus, they saw something in him that they had never seen before.  They saw a love that did not originate on earth, but one that began in heaven.  The way that Jesus carried himself, the way he looked at them, and the tone of his voice set these men at ease and drew them in.  They wanted to be around that kind of love.

They had known the love of their fathers and mothers.  They had been around friends, but there was something unique and inviting in the unspoken yet powerful love that emanated from this man.  Even at first glance, they knew there was something in this man that saw the best in them.  He did not judge them though he knew all about them.  He did not label them by their past failures; because he loved them perfectly, he would help them write better futures.

Something deep inside them wanted to be loved this perfectly, but they had never known unconditional and unlimited love before.  When they saw it in Jesus, all of their other relationships were not worth holding on to.

                  They Saw an Identity

That morning when they woke up, they were fishermen.  They had no desire to be anything else, and even if they desired to be something other than men who worked on the open sea, they weren’t qualified to do anything other than fish.  That all changed the moment they looked at Jesus.

In a split second they were willing to change the way they had been known.  Now, instead of being fishermen, they would be known as disciples.  Rather than chasing fish, they would be pursuers and servants of Jesus.  They would be associated with him, recognized as his own, and defined by their relationship with him.

They embraced this change, because they saw in him one with whom they could trust their reputation.  Something convinced them at first look that Jesus would alter their identity and protect their honor.

                  They Saw a Purpose

Peter, Andrew, James and John, the men who followed Jesus that day, had always lived to catch fish.  This allowed them to make money, which enabled them to feed themselves and their families.  In turn, they were able to stay alive to fish some more.  This cycle was all they had ever known and although it became mundane and routine, they never questioned it until the day Jesus walked into their lives.

The moment he called to them, they were willing to change their direction.  The Lord had a purpose for them and it was more than an endless cycle of fishing to survive.  He wanted them to impact their culture and the world.

When Jesus made eye contact with them, he exposed their lack of purpose.

They saw in him something they wanted.  They saw a purpose.  A reason.  They were tired of living with no aspiration.  They were willing to embrace an opportunity to live for something bigger than themselves.  They wanted something worth living for.  Eventually it would become a cause worth dying for.

                  They Saw Excitement

They had been living day after day in a routine.  This rut had entrenched them in boredom and enslaved them.   Every day was the same.  Nothing was new.  Then they met Jesus.

They had not been out looking for something to spice up their lives because they did not know such a thing existed.  But the moment they saw Jesus, they had hope for an exciting future.  They probably knew it would be difficult, but they were willing to take the tough times along with the good because the anticipation of what they would see, do, and hear overwhelmed them.

Jesus’ tone of voice convinced them of his love and enticed them with adventure.  While following Jesus, they would see incredible miracles daily.  They would hear truths about God preached by one who knew him intimately and personally.  They would get to cast out demons and heal the sick themselves.  The journey would be difficult on occasion, yet they knew that the joy of getting up every day and the knowledge that excitement was around every corner made the journey worth it.

They wanted to live on the edge.

What about the Others?

I can’t help but think about the others who could have chosen to follow Jesus but didn’t.

When Jesus was walking along the shore, he did not call out the four by name.  He saw a group of men who were all loved by the Father, and he invited all of them to follow.  The Bible doesn’t record how many people were around, but we know there were at least a few other men, the hired men and the father of James and John.  Why didn’t they follow Jesus?

They must have seen something different than Andrew, Peter, James and John.  They must not have seen enough excitement or purpose to make them want to leave the shore.  Evidently they did not see a future; they were content with the future that they were building for themselves.

I believe any of these men could have been included in what Jesus was going to do because I know that he will pour his life into anyone that chooses to follow him.  Maybe they thought Jesus was “interesting” but they didn’t think he was worth following.  Maybe their reputation and image was stronger than their desire to be associated with Jesus.  Possibly they wanted to be known as hard-working fishermen instead of humble and serving disciples.

Same Scenario, Different Century

Whatever the reason, these men missed out just like many people today.  There are extremes – those who ignore the call and those who embrace it.

All across this world people are surrendering their hearts to Christ and following him because they see in him the one who can change their lives.  In Jesus, they see a future that is bright.  They see a love that is perfect and will never leave them, even in difficult times.  Many people are willing to give up their identity because they see a better one in Jesus.  People see the abundant life that only comes from knowing, walking with, and following Jesus.

Even today Jesus walks past individuals and calls out to them.  When they see who Jesus is and what he longs to do in their lives, they have no choice but to follow him.  “Immediately” or “without hesitation,” people are leaving their old lives and following Christ, yet some by not saying “yes” are saying “no.”

What you see when you look at Jesus will determine what you do with him.

Reality Check

·       How do you think your future has changed as a result of choosing to follow Jesus?

·       Does Jesus’ love make all of the other loves you have known seem less significant?  How does Jesus’ love comfort you? 

·       What is your identity tied up in?  Do you have problems trusting God with your identity and reputation?  If so, why? 

·       Do you feel like your life is filled with purpose?  What practical steps can you take to give your life a purpose boost?

·       Do you consider your relationship with God exciting or do you see it as boring?  If boring, what actions does God want you to do that will add excitement to your relationship with him?

God, Thank you for loving me and inviting me to walk with you.  Thank you for giving me a future and a purpose.  I ask that you shape me identity and direct my life in every way possible.  Never let me forget that you are my source of joy and you are what fulfills me.  I ask that you help me to see you as you truly are, so that I will not hold anything back from you.  This day, I choose to follow you.  I look forward to our journey together as I get to know you more and have the privilege of serving you.  I am yours.  Amen.

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