And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Of all the words of Jesus these may be some of the most well known and famous. Yet for all the familiarity we have with these words, they may be among the most ignored words of Jesus, if not also misunderstood. The call that Jesus placed on his first disciples is the same call that has been placed on every follower of Jesus since that day, follow Jesus and make disciples.

In Christianity today there is a great deal of emphasis placed on believing in Jesus. Altar calls are given on a regular basis calling people to invite Jesus into their hearts and believe in him. Yet from the start Jesus called people to follow him. He wanted people not only to believe in him, and trust him, but Jesus calls for more. In calling disciples to follow him he is saying that the goal is not just to believe but to actually become like Jesus. In first century Judaism a disciple would do everything they could to become just like their master. Jesus wants us to become just like him.

The hard part is what does it mean to become like Jesus? The best clue to that is found in other words of Jesus, Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Being fully devoted to God means having every part of our lives devoted to bringing glory to God by the way we live. Loving those around us is the most clear way to demonstrate our devotion to God. That kind of love requires sacrificial living for the sake of others. It is exactly what Jesus did by coming into the world and giving his life for us. If you want to be more life Jesus then it means being more loving to those God puts in your path day to day. That is not always easy. Sometimes doing the loving thing is difficult and means we sacrifice for others. That is what Jesus did for you.

The second part of the words of Jesus gives a very practical way to show that love of others, be a fisher of men. What Jesus meant by that was that when we follow him we are to go out a reach others, bring them in, help them to follow Jesus as well. Being a fisher of men means to be a disciple maker. As you live your life following Jesus that means helping others to follow him as well. Yet sadly, most followers of Jesus never tell someone else about following Jesus. But being a fisher of men is not just about telling people about Jesus, it is also about mentoring others, being a disciple-maker.

If you are a parent, your first responsibility to your kids is to mentor them by being an example of a follower of Jesus. If you have friends, neighbors, co-workers, or people who God has simply put in your path, you have the privilege of being an example for them of what it means to follow Jesus. But it doesn’t happen by accident. Being intentional in following Jesus and helping others do the same is the only way to be a fisher of men and be like Jesus.

Who has Jesus put in your life for you to help become like Jesus? Who do you know who needs Jesus? Who do you know that you can spend time with like Jesus spent time with his disciples? Start by praying for God to show you who and then pray for them on a regular basis. Pray that God gives you the opportunity to be an example of what it means to follow Jesus. Have conversations with them about what Jesus means to you. Dig into God’s Word and let that word shape you and shape how you become a follower who helps others follow him as well.