FOLLOWING JESUS FISHING FOR SOUL
Jesus told his disciples: “follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Matthew 4:19). We too can become fishers of soul by following what Jesus taught his disciples.
They followed him as he proclaimed that “the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). They followed him as he demonstrated his love by dying for the sins of whoever believes in his atonement for their sins (John 3:16). We can become fishers of soul by following what Jesus taught his disciples.
JESUS’ DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM AS HE FISHED
His disciples followed him as “he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil” (Acts 10:38). ).
- Disciples followed Jesus when he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. (Matthew 4:23-25
- In following Jesus his disciples learned that many people did not showed thankfulness for the good he did. For instance, he healed ten lepers, but only one returned to thank the Lord (Luke 7:11-19). He miraculously fed more than 5,000 people with two small fish and five little loaves of bread; but when he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven;” only his discipled continued to follow him. (John 6).
“He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John1:11-12; John 3:16).
- After Jesus’ disciples saw him crucified and resurrected, he told them: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”( Mark 16:15-16).
JESUS’ DISCIPLES PASSED ON MUCH TO US
In following Jesus, his disciple learned a great deal about fishing for soul; and passed much of it on to us
THE LORD’S DISCIPLE JOHN said; “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
HIS DISCIPLE PETER said: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11).
HIS APOSTLE PAUL who was anointed by the Lord with many spiritual gifts, said: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
The apostle tells us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).
OUR FISHING FOR SOULS
In our fishing for souls, we recognize that only God’s sinless Son qualifies to die for the sins of peoples (John 3:16; Acts 4:12). And we understand that not all are gifted to perform miracles like Jesus and his disciples did. But as God has gifted us and gives us opportunity, we should do good, show the love of Christ and share the gospel of Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:1).
Our Savior and Lord said, concerning fishing for souls: “whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Our Lord gave us different gifts through the Holy Spirit to help in our work of fishing for souls (John 14:15-17).
As a result of our work in following Jesus in fishing for souls, he assured us we will be greatly blessed “in this age, and in the age to come” (Luke 18:28), where we will live with God forever (John 14:1-3).
