First Things First

So here we are in a Bible Study Group and the focus text is Matthew 4:19. That’s the one about becoming “fishers of men”. I understand the importance of using language familiar to people, and that Jesus was addressing fishermen, and that there is value in using highly descriptive language because it tends to stick in people’s minds. Try to imagine the dumbfounded look on the fishermen’s faces when they thought of fishing for people. Now, in our study group, as soon as that verse is read, a hand shoots up and the inevitable question surfaces: “What does that mean? What does it mean to be “fishers of men?” And here we go: what does it mean? How do we do it? Should I use a big hook or a small hook? Am I deep sea fishing or casting from the shoreline…that will make a difference? Bait? Best time of day to catch someone for Christ? By the end of the study hour, we have exhausted all the theories and ideas and we are confident that we have learned an important lesson. Now that was a good Bible Study today!

But you know what…it was an exercise in how to have a good conversation. And that’s because the Bible students missed the most important part. They focused on the “fishing” and spent little or no time on the “following.” Doing the latter is impossible without doing the former. “Come with me…” “Follow me…” Then I will teach you how to change the world. Hold on a minute! Coming with you, Jesus…following you means sacrifice and possible suffering. I like the fishing part but I don’t have a great desire to sacrifice or suffer. I like my fishing gear to be neat and tidy and I prefer to cast the line from a quiet, peaceful river bank where the birds are singing and the breeze is cool and the smell of Spring is in the air.

Everything he asks us to do is possible only as the result of first deciding to follow. Come with me…that’s the rich topic of study and conversation. When I finally decide to be serious about the following, and accept the realities of following, then the door opens to change and transformation. Otherwise, I think I’ll just stick to bowling.