Invitations of Jesus Series: Episode 6 The Fisherman

Hello, my walking friend! I’m grateful you are walking along with me on this journey of drawing closer to Jesus. By now you have probably started walking and your senses are engaged. Take a few deep breaths and clear your thoughts of anything but Jesus. Ready to go? Great! Let’s do this!

Today is the 6th episode in the Invitations of Jesus series and we are reflecting on Jesus’ invitation to follow him.

Our verse to meditate on today is Matthew 4:19 NIV:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Have you ever had a job you didn’t feel qualified to do? I can honestly say I have never had a job where I walked in and said, “Oh, yeah, I got this!” There’s always been some kind of learning curve. And when I became a grandmother I really felt like I was heading into unknown territory – even though I had raised two children into adulthood! 

I can only imagine what it must have felt like for Peter when Jesus told him to leave the only work and world he knew to be his follower. He must have thought – who me? I’m not a preacher, I’m not a rabbi, I’m not a Levite. I am sure he must have felt unqualified to be an apostle. 

Have you ever felt Jesus call you to do something you thought you weren’t qualified to do? I sure have! But here’s the thing – if Jesus calls us, he will equip us. We know this is true because we can read the accounts of his disciples and many of the things they did in the book of Acts. Like them, we must have the courage and faith to say, “Yes, Lord,” when Jesus invites us to follow him. 

Now let’s take a little time now to meditate on Matthew 4:19:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? I was inspired to write a poem based on the apostle Peter and his invitation to follow Jesus. It is titled, The Fisherman, and you can read the poem in my poetry devotional entitled, Invitations Poetry Devotional.  

In the Bible, three gospel accounts tell us about how Peter, the inspiration for this poem, became a follower of Jesus. You can read those accounts in John 1:35-42, Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20.

Let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus’ invitation to be his follower, and what that means to us. 

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Lord,

Sometimes I am afraid to follow you, afraid to leave what is comfortable and known. But I want my life to be a living testimony. Please equip me to do your will and give me the faith and courage to go where you lead. I pray this in the name of Jesus, the one who invites me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

Can you think of a time when you chose a path that felt safe and secure instead of the path Jesus may have been calling you to take? How do you feel about that decision now? Take some time to think about that now.

What does being a fisher of men and women look like to you? Do you believe that if Jesus calls you he will equip you? Remind yourself of the truth that he will! Consider your response now.

Do you feel Jesus is inviting you to follow him outside your comfort zone? What does that look like? Think about your answer now.

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time Matthew 4:19:

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Good job, my friend! Another 10 minutes of walking with Jesus! Did you let Jesus take the lead? I hope you will take some time to consider what it means when you accept Jesus’ invitation to be his follower. 

Today’s podcast was adapted from my poetry devotional called Invitations. For information on this devotional, or any Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to LynneLeite.com.  You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another invitation from Jesus. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.