“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men…” Matthew 4:19.
As I read this short verse it occurs to me that anyone who has ever been exposed to the story of Jesus Christ has heard this quoted many times by many pastors, Sunday school teachers, or evangelists simply trying to spread the gospel.
What concerns me is if we as Christians really understand what this verse means. In any version of the story Jesus makes it sound pretty easy, but we may have to step back for a moment and take this verse in.
Have we taken the time to fully understand what is asked of us as believers?
Within this short verse is a lot of labor, sweat, tears and even physical pain. In our world as we perceive it today we will struggle with perception or even empathy as it concerns the work Jesus and his disciples endured. Good example; my feet get sore sometimes in comfortable shoes, I can’t imagine walking the miles Christ did in a pair of sandals that more than likely did not have gel insoles!
Would we go the distance with Jesus?
Now lets consider the confrontations Jesus had and literally standing alone with nothing more than the words given by the Father. We are told not to fear death or even injury, but yet we shy away from a verbal confrontation about defending the faith.
Do we shy away for our sake or the other person’s?
The last part can be a little touchy, but are we selective to who we talk to about Jesus Christ? Many Christians will talk about not being selective to those we invite into the doors of the church or how we determine who we share the gospel with, but I would guess that we are all guilty of being choosey, when it is not our place to do so. Every person is made in the image of God and thus, we serve him, not the other way around.
Do our perspective goggles uncover the truth of God in how we see our fellow human beings?
My thoughts and prayers are for all of those who stand, walk or run to spread the truth of the gospel to every corner of the earth. May God make your feet swift, your labor fruitful and message one that allows the seeds to be planted for the bountiful harvest to come!
Praise God in all He does for the smallest of blessings!!!
The Koifish Christian