Peter and Andrew were fishing. As the story expands, there are two other brothers, James and John also fishing with their father, (Matthew 4:21). This is not only their occupation but has been their way of life from birth, their heritage. These two sets of brothers are called upon to embrace a second thought. This second thought will be an absolute, radical change at the core of their existence. Jesus calls them to repent, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). This is an allegory connecting their present and future vocations.
It is, however, very important to notice, this is not just the embrace of a new vocation. One might leave his fishing business and become a full time disciple without following Jesus. Repeatedly Jesus will call people to “Follow Me!” But outside of this situation He never called them to be fishers of men. If the former thought is “fishing for fish” and the second thought is being fishers of men, surely this call will take place again and again in Galilee. Joining ourselves to Him results in an adjustment to our lives’ central focus. The former thought is for the survival of us. We work for us; we plan for us; we prepare for us. Our vocation is for us. We only work to support us. Who will work hard if they do not need the money? Jesus calls us to embrace a second thought. It is Him! When He becomes the second thought, He gives us a new focus in our vocation. It is for others. This is what He will do within us. This is His responsibility; our responsibility is to respond in repentance. I am a Jesus pusher!!!