Mark 1:17

Jesus was going along the shore of the Sea of Galilee when He saw Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17) These two men, Simon, who was later called Peter and his brother Andrew were the first of the apostles that Jesus had called out for His holy purpose. Notice in this verse what Jesus did not say, "you are fishers of men." Rather, Jesus said "...I will make you become..."

The way Jesus phrased His calling of these two men implies that Jesus will "make" (cause) them to "become" (be-trained) as they "follow" (behind) Jesus. Likewise, Christ does the same with us. He calls us out for His purpose and we follow after Him. Then Jesus will train us by "...the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said..." (John 14:26) Remembrance of what "Jesus said" is found in the Bible as the written Word of God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

An analogy may be our observance of fishermen (us) on a nearby lake. A boat may make way from the west side of the lake to fish the east side, passing another boat that has just left the east side and is now under way to fish the side that the first boat had just left. As we each draw near to our new fishing spots we may choose to cast in towards the shore as close to it as possible. Meanwhile, fishermen along the shores are casting out into the water as far as possible. We fish here and we fish there with no result because we are not fishing with the equipment God has provided, His word. It is God that catches (saves) men.

God gave us an example of the result of fishing by His instruction; But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch." They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. (John 21: 4-6)

We need to examine God's net (Bible) daily. In doing so we will become skillful and effective with the equipment God has provided us with, lead by the Holy Spirit, as witnesses to a perishing world. For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18) It is Gods net, and we are called to "...become fishers of men."

To God be the glory