First Things First, Again

If it’s okay with you, I’m going to offer one more thought about the meaning of Matthew 4:19. Not okay? Sorry.

Not to take away from the absolute importance of “Come with me…” or “Follow me…” and the doorway to potential change in the world, I suggest that the meaning of the second part of the saying “….and I will make you fishers of men”…has nothing to do with enlisting or enrolling people in the Jesus movement . It is not about reaching people to save them; it is not a salvation teaching. That would be too narrow, too limiting.

Think about it. A good fisherman can catch a fish, but no one has ever “caught” a human being. The exaggeration is huge and would bring a smile to the faces of those fishermen who heard the words. Impossible. Can’t be done. And that’s the point! That’s the meaning of this colorful saying. “Come with me…” Jesus told the men; “follow me” and I will teach you how to do the impossible, illustrated by the absurdity of fishing for people. He even said once: you (disciples) will do the things I do and even more. Come follow me and I will show you how to do things that you never thought possible.

So many times I’ve heard preachers say that the meaning of this remarkable passage is about saving souls. Catch ’em for Christ! Broaden your thinking and see if this doesn’t make more sense: Come with me, friend, and I will teach you things you never imagined. I will show you how to do things that everyone thinks impossible, things like radical forgiveness, trusting love to be powerful, standing up to oppression. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is impossible to Christ. And nothing is impossible to the average human being who hears the invitation, “Come with me…” and accepts.