Matthew 4:18-22 sets the scene for us:
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] 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.
Pay special attention to the way Jesus called these men. They were fishermen. That’s what they knew. That’s what they did. And as Jesus called them to follow him, he used what was familiar to them. He didn’t want to completely strip them of their identities. He didn’t want to brainwash them into robots. He wanted to use them.
Peter had a past that Jesus could use.
Andrew had a profession that Jesus could use.
James had a personality that Jesus could use.
John had passions that Jesus could use.
And so do you.
Are you:
- A doctor? “Follow me and I will make you a physician of the faith.”
- A lawyer? “Follow me and I will make you a representative of righteousness.”
- A fireman? “Follow me and I will make you a rescuer of sinners.”
- A soldier? “Follow me and I will make you a fighter for the lost.”
- A nurse? “Follow me and I will make you a tender helper of the weak.”
- A teacher? “Follow me and I will make you an instructor of the inquiring.”
- In telecommunications? “Follow me and I will make you a communicator of the good news.”
- An administrator? “Follow me and I will make you a manager of the Message.”
- A factory worker? “Follow me and I will make you an assembler for the Master Craftsman.”
- A dispatcher? “Follow me and I will make you a coordinator for the kingdom.”
- A telemarketer? “Follow me and I will make you a promoter of the Gospel.”
- A realtor? “Follow me and I will make you a showcaser of heaven.”
- In computers? “Follow me and I will make you a processor of peace.”
- A builder? “Follow me and I will make you a constructor for Christ.”
- A musician? “Follow me and I will make you a messenger of God’s mercy.”
- A student? “Follow me and I will make you a representative of the Master Teacher.”
- A translator? “Follow me and I will make you a translator of truth.”
- A policeman? “Follow me and I will make you a servant of the distressed.”
- An artist? “Follow me and I will make you an admirer of the Master Painter.”
- An engineer? “Follow me and I will make you a designer for eternity.”
- A farmer? “Follow me and I will make you a cultivator for the Crucified.”
Jesus wants to take your past, your profession, your personality, and your passions, and use you for the glory of God. He can use you. And he is inviting you to follow Him.
Isn’t that good news?