Throughout Scripture, there are various analogies of evangelism. There’s a shepherd going after lost sheep, a farmer sowing seed and reaping a harvest, and in Matthew 4, Jesus compared it to a commercial fisherman catching fish. The term “fisher of men” was not new. For centuries, the Greek and Roman philosophers used it to describe one who catches others by teaching or persuasion. It was a term of vocation. Since the four men in this passage were commercial fishermen, it is obvious why Jesus used this analogy.
The Call
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19
“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me…’” (Mt. 4:18-19).
Notice the words Jesus spoke to Peter and Andrew. He did not say follow my teaching, my morality, or my rules. He said follow ME. Following Jesus is about a relationship. Jesus calls us to go on the journey with Him.
I love what the New Testament Commentary: Christ-Centered Exposition says about this passage. When you look at the context of Matthew 1–4, you find out who it is that invites you to follow.
- In Matthew 1, Jesus is the Savior. He is the Messiah. He is the Son of David born in Israel’s line of kings. Verse 23 says He is Immanuel, God with us.
- Matthew 2 says Jesus is the Sovereign King that the Wise Men came to worship—the one the Old Testament prophets, Micah and Jeremiah, said would come.
- In Matthew 3, He is the Savior King and Righteous Judge. When John baptized Him, the Father declared from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
- In Matthew 4, He is the new Adam, the Light of the World, who came teaching, preaching, and healing.
This is no ordinary invitation from no ordinary man. Jesus is worthy of far more than our casual association and church attendance. He is worthy of our total abandonment and supreme adoration.
Jesus changes everything. Are you truly following Him?
The Change
“…and I will make you fishers of men” (v. 19). We do not make Him; He makes us. He loved us, sought us, bought us, and chose us. The God who chose Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the disciples has chosen us.
We come to Jesus as we are, but He does not leave us as we are. Being a Jesus-follower is not a way of looking at certain things—it’s a certain way of looking at everything.
He did not call them because of what they had to offer. He made them into what they could become. Instead of looking for fish all over the lake, they would spread the gospel all over the world!
Every follower of Jesus is a fisher of men. The call and commission were not just given to the disciples or apostles. It is given to all who follow Jesus.
Your profession can become your calling.
“Fisher of men” was a play on words. Just like Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply, we are born again to reproduce spiritually. We were found to find others, saved to save others.
You may say, “I can’t do that.”
“It is not by might, not by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord.”
Jesus said, “I will make you.” It is not information that we need, but transformation.
The Commitment
“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. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” (Mt. 4:21-22).
They responded with immediate obedience. They did not know where, but they knew the who and when. The time to follow Jesus is now.
They left behind their nets, boats, and careers. Following Jesus means we abandon our sin and shame. It means surrendering our will for His will, our way for His way.
Following Jesus means we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
Are you following Him?
Will you ask God who you can bring to Him today?
If you’re looking for a place to discover God’s purpose and grow in your faith, we’d love to walk with you. Plan your visit to Liberty Live Church or fill out a Connect Card. We’d be honored to meet you and help you take your next step.