19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
This verse records the words which the Lord Jesus spoke to Andrew and Simon. What a glorious call Jesus extended to those fishermen of Galilee! He took great pleasure in those people who were at the lower strata of society and offered them what they could not have otherwise inherited. His words are full of invitation, incentives and promises. They are for the joyful contemplation and obedience of anyone, regardless of status.
Firstly, we notice that herein is a warm invitation from our gracious Lord. He gently beckons us, “Follow me”. He is sure of the way, for He Himself is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). What a great honour it is for us to receive an invitation from the Son of God to follow Him all the way to His glorious heavenly abode!
Secondly, He beckons us to accept His leading and demands total commitment from us. We cannot be half-hearted followers if we are to be partakers of the blessings unto which He is leading us. We must give Him our absolute allegiance. He makes no other demand here except that we faithfully follow Him.
Thirdly, He assures us that He will not fail to lead us. The words “Follow me” are very assuring, for they bespeak Christ’s role as our unfailing Leader. He is ready to lead us all the way. He does not give us any notion that at some point in our lives, He would desert us.
Fourthly, He gives us a personal promise, “I will make you fishers of men.” Simon and Andrew were only familiar with mending and casting nets. How could men, who had only been accustomed to boats, nets and fishes, be at home in preaching sermons? How could men of the sea become men of the Word? Nothing is impossible with the Son of God. Just as He promised, He used those fishermen of Galilee to conquer the souls of the rich and poor, the kings and peasants, the scholars and barbarians from around the world. We know, with hindsight from biblical and world history, that they became great soul-winners just as Jesus has promised.
Are you brought low by a sense of your own unworthiness? Do you feel that you can never be useful to lead men to Christ? Do not doubt any more. Accept His call. Follow Him and His will. Then His wisdom and power will transform you to be a soul-winner for His kingdom!