“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17)

Jesus called Simon and Andrew while they were about the business of their everyday lives, yet they heard Him and forsook what they were doing to follow Jesus. Are we listening to Jesus today? Can we hear His voice? John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” This passage says Jesus speaks to His sheep and we receive directions from the Good Shepherd. Psalms 23:2b, “…he leadeth me beside the still waters.” He takes me to tranquil and peaceful places.

In the text, Jesus profoundly says, “I will make you to become fishers of men.” That is the promise from a faithful God. We have to accept the gracious invitation to come after Christ. In Mark 10:21, Jesus extends the invitation to a rich young man. Even though he heard the call directly from Jesus, he rejected it; for he could not part with his worldly riches. “Things” had become his master. (Mark 8:34) “…Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself…” We must deny ourselves first of fleshly desires and desire things which are eternal, which come from above. ((Mark 8:36-37) “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

In Matthew 14:29-31, Jesus called to Peter to come to Him on the water. Peter accepted the call; but took his eyes off Jesus, and his circumstance consumed him. Peter then cried out to Jesus again and was saved from that same circumstance.

Then in John 11:43, Jesus called Lazarus to “come forth.” Lazarus came forth from the grave, still bound in graveclothes, and Jesus instructed them in verse 44, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Many hear Jesus calling and reject Him.

Some hear Jesus and are saved from sin; but take their eyes off Him and are consumed in their circumstances; and then call on Jesus to save them from their circumstances.

Jesus has called us all from a dead life in the grave of sin. We come forth, fully dressed in our old sinful graveclothes, and Jesus instructs those old ways and habits to loose us and let us go. Graciously He then clothes us with righteousness in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Today, we must carefully listen to the voice of our Shepherd, for He will fulfill His promises.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)