What does Christ mean when he asks us to become fishers of Men? Usually our response to this would be that he asks us to find lost souls who are wandering and lost.This is true, we do need to help gather Israel, but that is not all it means to feed His sheep or become fishers of men. Matthew 4:18-20 says, "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." The disciples were not only asked to bring people to the gospel, there was also a sacrifice involved.
The first step in spreading the gospel is being prepared to give everything for it. This is why we ask young men to leave their homes, friends and families for two years in order to serve missions. We must be committed regardless of the cost. When the disciples left their nets to follow their Savior they also left the simplicity of their former life. No longer were they ordinary fishermen whose biggest concern was what their nets brought in, now they would face persecution and the loss of their greatest friend. They were willing to give it all up for what they believed to be true.
Sometimes we have a willingness to serve, the humility to give everything, but feel insecure in our own abilities. In his talk, Christlike Attributes- the Wind Beneath Our Wings, Dieter F. Uchtdorf talks of Christ's invitation for the apostles to become fishers of men. He says, "I suspect that they had a feeling of inadequacy, as I deeply have, being one who has also been called to this sacred work. May I suggest that the Savior Himself teaches us here a lesson about core doctrine and priorities in life. Individually we need to first "follow Him," and as we do this, the Savior will bless us beyond our own capacity to become what He wants us to be." While we may feel like simple fishermen Christ reveals our true potential as fishers of men.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
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