I am a Jesus pusher!!! Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus calls them to “be” fishers of men. We are reminded of this truth repeatedly in the study of the early disciples’ calling. He will be responsible for making them this. The creative flow (poieo) will bear this fruit in their lives. This new experience will not be the product of an academic study or a development of a new set of skills. They will not go through a series of lectures and take a test. It will be a direct result of the Spirit of Christ living within them.
What about their participation? What is the response required from them? Matthew gives us two beautiful statements at the end of each encounter. Peter and Andrew respond to Jesus. They immediately left their nets and followed Him (Matthew 4:20). James and John had a similar response. And immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him (Matthew 4:22). There seems to be three aspects of the response. They “immediately” respond to Jesus. “They left” highlights their attitude of surrender. They “followed Him” shows their attention and focus on Jesus. I want this to be my response. I am a Jesus pusher!!!