Fishers of Men: The First Disciples of Christ
In this Bible story, on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls upon the First Disciples as he performs a miraculous catch of fish after the fishermen had been unsuccessful. The fishers were astonished by the miracle as a demonstration of the presence of God, which was the first step in understanding who Jesus is. Jesus calls the common fishermen to leave everything and become his disciples as "Fishers of Men."
In Luke 5:10, Jesus tells Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." Catching men as "Fishers of men" builds on the analogy of catching fish. It means bringing people into the kingdom of God, and into a relationship with Jesus.
These first disciples of Jesus had already heard the preaching of John the Baptist and were prepared to accept Christ immediately. Though illiterate and unlearned in religion, these "people of the land" whom Jesus called will be revealed at Pentecost to be the wisest of all.
Bible Meaning of the Fishers of Men Story
The following is an excerpt from the Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 4:
"When Christ began to preach, he began to gather disciples, who should be hearers, and afterward preachers of his doctrine, who should be witnesses of his miracles, and afterward testify concerning them. He went not to Herod's court, not to Jerusalem, among the chief priests and the elders, but to the sea of Galilee, among the fishermen. The same power which called Peter and Andrew could have wrought upon Annas and Caiaphas, for with God nothing is impossible. But Christ chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
Diligence in an honest calling is pleasing to Christ, and it is no hindrance to a holy life. Idle people are more open to the temptations of Satan than to the calls of God. It is a happy and hopeful thing to see children careful of their parents, and dutiful. When Christ comes, it is good to be found doing. Am I in Christ? is a very needful question to ask ourselves; and, next to that, Am I in my calling? They had followed Christ before, as common disciples, (John 1:37); now they must leave their calling. Those who would follow Christ aright, must, at his command, leave all things to follow him, must be ready to part with them. This instance of the power of the Lord Jesus encourages us to depend upon his grace. He speaks, and it is done."
Read the full Bible story of Fishers of Men below and find articles, videos, and audio sermons on this remarkable story.
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