Fishers of Men Matthew 4:19

Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he continued, “Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers”, and in chapter four and verse nineteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told Peter and Andrew, “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” where we read:

And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Follow me, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and he said” which means “and Jesus uttered, proclaimed, declared and directed” “unto them” or “toward Simon Peter and Andrew”, “Follow me” which means “come here and now”. Matthew shared how Jesus told “Peter and Andrew” to “come” with Him.

The verse continues, “... and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew continued with the words, “and I will make you” which means “and Jesus would produce, construct, form, make ready and prepare Peter and Andrew as” “fishers” or “fishermen” “of men” which means “of human beings whether male or female”. Matthew shared how Jesus would “make ready and prepare” “Peter and Andrew” to be “fishermen” of people.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus not only invited “Peter and Andrew” to “come” after Him, but He also noticed their occupation and promised to “equip” them to be “fishermen” of people. This idea is the same today as Jesus calls people to have a relationship with Him, and afterward “makes them ready” to bring others into “faith and trust” in Him. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and once they do, He is more than able, no matter what occupation they hold, to “equip” them to be “fishers” of men as well.

Next time Matthew shares how Peter and Andrew, “left their nets, and followed him” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.