Lent Day 4. Matthew 4

As Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Mt. 4:18-20)

Jesus called out to Peter and Andrew, who were fishing in the sea of Galilee, and said that he would make them "fish for people." The brothers left their nets and followed him.

Why did Peter and Andrew follow Jesus, leaving their livelihoods and families behind? Was it because Jesus said he would make them "fish for people," instead of catching fish for food? Did they know what it meant to "fish for people"?

The two brothers followed Jesus for a better life, for something more abundant than a life of catching fish. I don't mean to denigrate the brothers. It's just that on the road to Jerusalem, the disciples debate "who's greater?" and the rich young man who asked about eternal life was troubled by Jesus' words to give away what he had and follow me, they asked what they would receive for leaving everything and following Jesus.

They became "fishers of people" as Jesus had said, living a life that was more abundant and glorious than just catching fish for food. However, the direction of their expectations was somewhat different. It was not a life of worldly abundance and glory, but one of eternal abundance and glory, which they received.

They went from catching fish to sustain life to catching people to sustain life. They became people who not only saved themselves but also others.

God, let me be a fisher of men, a fisher of men that lives! Let me be a fisher of men that leads even one to the path of new life! Holy Spirit, lead me to the truth! Amen.