Fishermen

Fishermen

Q: Fill in the blank: “Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for _____!’”

• a. trout
• b. people
• c. perch

Some of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen. Jesus met them by the Sea of Galilee, a large lake with about 30 fishing towns around it. Jesus called Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing business and follow him. He wanted them to be fishers of men. He planned for them to tell others about salvation and pull people to the Good News just as a fisherman pulls in fish with a net. Jesus also called James and John, who were fishermen too.

When Jesus began looking for men to follow him, he didn’t go into the Temple or court. He didn’t go to the schools. He walked along the Sea of Galilee among the fishermen. He didn’t look for the richest or most intelligent men. They may have had pride in themselves and claimed some part of Jesus’ power. Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their work to follow Jesus without looking back or making elaborate plans.

Don’t fear that God won’t call you to do something special for him because you aren’t good at science or aren’t one of the better athletes. Don’t expect him to overlook you because you don’t have many friends and you sit alone at lunch. That’s not how God works. He chooses people who are willing and who will give him the praise for accomplishments.

For You

The fishermen immediately left their jobs to follow Jesus. That doesn’t mean Jesus expects you to leave school or your chores, but he wants you to do things for him now, not wait until you are an adult. God has certain things only you can accomplish, so be open to God’s prompting, and he will show you what to do.

Answer: b

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.   Matthew 4:19-20

(The Whole Story: Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)