For They Were Fishermen
While walking by the
Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and
Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And
going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee
and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending
their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV)
He walked along the shore, over moss covered stones and the sea's discarded vegetation. The water filling the basin before Him teemed with life. He watched fishermen casting their nets. He watched others mend the tools of their trade.
He counted them all,
the fish,
the stones
and the laborers.
Through the work of His father's hand all life was created, the visible and the invisible. He inhaled the moist air, the scent of the catch, the odor of moldy nets and waterlogged boats. All this He caressed, long ago, at the time of creation.
Wearing sandals and colorless garments He stepped through a nest of shells. The fowl gathered on the shore sought the skies. He considered the course of their flight, the beauty of wings catching the currents of air and the texture of feathers.
Was it simply a call?
Was it simply His voice cast out along the shore, that made Peter and Simon pause to listen?
Did they know about Him?
Had they listened at any time to His word?
Somewhere between the moment when He pondered the Sea of Galilee, fishermen and empty nets He spoke to them. Simon, Andrew, brothers on the deck of their small boat. Men with calloused hands and fatigued muscles. He had heard the language spoken, curses, laughter and anger. He knew they condemned, they gossiped. Their joy was limited and their faith needed strength.
Yet He knew them and He chose them because of these attributes.
"I will make you fishers of men."
Your life will never be the same,
no longer will you draw empty nets back to your boat,
no longer will hopelessness fill your heart.
Follow me and let the concerns of this world be concerned for itself.
Was it immediate?
Did the brothers drop their nets without question?
He knew them, all their heartaches and joys.
He knew, regardless of the callouses and fatigue, that they wanted to be touched by God.
Lord,
for us is it ever immediate,
sometimes I want to cast my net
one more time,
do it on my own.
Lord,
be more patient with me
than I am with You.
Gently lead me to the shore
that we might walk together.
copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr
Beautiful imagery. Beautiful poetry. Beautiful Savior!
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