One day many years ago there was a fisherman named Simon working with his brother Andrew when, along the shoreline, walked a man who spoke to them these simple words- “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:18-20). The concept of that statement and their response were far from simple because follow they did-without hesitation! Andrew first. Then, excitedly he brought his brother Simon (John 1:40). The man was Jesus and the concept he was proposing to them was a ministry of reconciliation with God that would later be referred to as “The Way” and what we now call Christianity. To leave the family business, their only means of livelihood, in order to follow a man who appeared to have no means of his own was a huge decision. A decision requiring much faith that somehow their needs would be met. Obviously something drew them-a sincerity that there was a purpose much bigger and more meaningful than acquiring food for the body, which was food for the soul.
John the Baptist
At the same time a great man of God, with his own ministry and disciples, named John was preaching, baptizing and proclaiming the truth of the soon to come Messiah. So, when he saw Jesus his soul recognized him and he declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God” (John 1:27)! Andrew was there to hear these profound words and his spirit was overwhelmed with joy. He shared this good news with his brother and the two dropped everything to follow which suggests a hunger deep in the souls of these two men. It was during their first meeting when Jesus looked at Simon and said, “Your name is Simon but you will be called Peter” (or Cephas which means stone) (John 1:42). I’m sure that about this time Simon was questioning why a man he just met would already be giving him a nickname. What he didn’t realize was that Jesus saw the leader in him he didn’t know was there. It was too soon for him to recognize its significance. Neither could he imagine the hard road he had to face, the changes he would go through or the importance of the role he would play.
