Ever heard of Simon Peter, Andrew (his brother), and James Zebedee and John Zebedee (brothers)?????? Ok, seriously...these dudes have got to be kidding me. I think they were absolutely insane. Their story is in Matthew 4:18.
The first set of brothers (Simon and Andrew) were fishing on the sea of Galilee, when afar off they saw a man approaching them. First and foremost, I guess their parents did not tell them NOT to talk or listen to strangers. This man (Jesus) kept approaching them, and they didn't ask any questions. Then Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you FISHERS OF MEN." In this day and time, I would have thought Jesus was a cannibal (a person who eats human flesh), and I would have found my square root fast. But they saw something in Him that others did not see, and immediately they left their nets and followed Him. What did they see?
Now, that is a little bit understandable. But how about the next set of brothers (James Zebedee and John Zebedee)? Their own case was worse. These ones were sitting on a boat WITH THEIR FATHER (the big man Zebedee himself), and they were doing some hard work there ~ they were MENDING their nets. Apparently, somewhere down the river they realized their nets were broken and decided to come back ashore and repair them. Only for this man called Jesus to approach the three of them and all He had to do was beckon to them to come to Him (I'm thinking He must have shouted out their names), and guess what? These two dudes LEFT their father on the boat and started following Jesus. What Nigerian father would take that nonsense???? A naija father will chase you with the fishing net until he catches you and commands you to come back and do your work.
I think these people were crazy...but that's not where I'm going. These accounts remind me of Matthew 13: 44 where Jesus gave a parable about the 'kingdom of heaven,' saying, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field..."
How many of us are ready to lose our minds over this treasure? Will you leave your father, mother and siblings just to focus on this treasure? How many of us can leave our jobs ("mending nets" or "fishing") to follow God? Sometimes, you don't have to physically leave your job, but even within your jobs you can focus on God. How many of us can stop fishing for money, but instead start fishing for souls? How many of us can really become crazy fishermen? How many of us will sell all that we have just to buy this treasure that we've found? It's a food for thought...I myself am thinking about these questions...
**There is something out there that is greater than any of us
...it's another kingdom...**
...it's another kingdom...**
7 comments:
LOL Jaycee, this one has lots of humor. i agree, crazy is sometimes the best word to describe a relationship with Jesus. But you know what they say about fools falling in love...and scripture clearly says be foolish so that you can be wise. After my laughs i realized God was still talking to me through you?
"Will you leave your father, mother and siblings just to focus on this treasure?"...my million dollar question. One i have to provide an answer to this weekend. Like i said, i know what I must do, I just pray for courage.
Fishers of men .... hmmm.... indeed there are yet many souls to be fished for the kingdom of God. This is just in accordance with a message i received this week on the great commission. We have been commissioned and it is not a choice .... we walk past people in the street, malls etc and our spirit should yearn to get them born again because we see in their eyes that there is something they do not have that is in us to give. We are the light and personality of Christ!
We are fishers of men in our world (jobs, family et al) and the Holy Spirit has given us that boldness to heal the sick, blind and broken hearted.... fishers of men. Refreshing post.
oh and yea .... i am yet reminded that this gospel I have is much more than anything. No man or ties i have can keep separate me from this word I have received. I must walk with it and follow Jesus regardless .... it has become a matter of life itself. I have/ must be one with it.
"What Nigerian father would take that nonsense???? A naija father will chase you with the fishing net until he catches you and commands you to come back and do your work."--- this was funny.
But you are right-- We have to practicalize and personalize the Bible to really understand the intricacies.
How are you doing?
Well, we all say we can be able to do that, but we seldom get lost in the things of the earth that we tend to forget the treasure that the Father is.... Our "jobs" are more important in this life than we want to go to church, or study the word... its sad, its hard.... hmmmm may God give us the strength to be able to follow Him....
Longest time eh!
yes ohhhhhhhhh
dropping your all for the Master. but idont get why people think its that hard.. I mean we are talking about THE ALPHA And OMEGA, the ONE WHO MADE U IN THE FIRST PLACE? why shouldnt i feel safe with Him?
I guess its just trust and faith..
me, i am sooooooo lost in him
i love the song...deeply in love..
nice post as usual...
have u done any medical mission?
i want to do one....
let me know
Post a Comment