Jesus said to them, “ ‘Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And, immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:17). O what power Jesus must have embodied that day to so attract Simon, Andrew, Zebedee and John that they immediately left their nets to follow him. O what love—that in an instant, these fishermen were cloaked with the conviction and surety of the living Christ. They chose to follow. They chose to let Jesus make them become fishers of men. Jesus did not say “Make them fishers of men.” He said, “Make them become fishers of men.” Saying yes to God began their turning toward repentance. The apostles were thereafter tethered to God, anchored and secured for their becoming.
Did they really know what becoming fishers of men meant? Did they hear exactly what Jesus said? Did they have any idea what they had chosen? Yet Jesus’ presence and love was mysteriously encompassing and compelling. They had seen the Lord, “made by God to be their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
This is He whom “even the wind and the sea obey” (Matthew 8:27). This is He whom your demons recognize and obey. This is He who does not forsake you in the dark. This is He who sets the leaves a wavin’ and the trees a swayin’ on a beautiful day. This is He who subtly tosses His head and beckons you to follow. “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). This is He whom you seek.
“Tell the next generation that this is God, our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide for ever” (Psalm 48:14).
— Betsy Daniel
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