Wineskins Contributor・01/10/19

"18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him."

Imagine the scene.

Jesus is walking on the shore. The waves are rolling in. Fishermen are all around. Men are fishing. Nets are being mended. The rabbi walks right up to the Galilean fishermen.

Can you see it?

Can you picture it all in your mind's eye?

Read the verses above again and this time picture each moment in your mind. Read a few words and picture what you read. Can you see it all? Can you see Jesus walking? Can you see the boats, the sea, the fishermen...?

Then he speaks. Jesus called out to Peter and Andrew just as they were casting a net into the sea. Can you hear his voice as he says, "Come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people." Can you see the look on his face as he offers that invitation to these two men? Can you see the love in his eyes?

Next, we watch them leave their nets and boats and follow Jesus. Can you picture the three of them walk over to another group of fishermen? This time we see James, John and their father Zebedee fishing. They are all in the boat together working on their nets when Jesus calls out with the same invitation. They, too, leave it all to follow Jesus.

Can you see it?

Can you picture it all in your mind's eye?

Next the five of them walk along the sea and your attention is drawn to another person...someone you almost didn't notice. They heard these invitations. They watched the fishermen walk away from it all. This person has a look of nervousness about them. The look on their face speaks as loudly as if their mouth had said the words, "Will he call me too?"

Can you see the look on Jesus' face as he turns to this one as well and offers the invitation to follow him a third time?

Now, turn your attention from Jesus' face to this one's face. Look closely at the person standing there and take a good look at their face. The face you see, is your own! It is as if you are looking at yourself when you have just received the best news of your life.

Jesus wants you on his team. He wants you to be with him, to follow him, to love him and be loved by him.

You belong.

You are wanted.

You are invited.

You are loved.