Fishermen follow Jesus Christ

If Jesus said to you ‘follow me’ – would you? When asked this question Simon & his brother Andrew, two fishermen of the sea of Galilee, straightway left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20)  Why?

I always wondered how they could do that. On researching this further, I found out. I read John Chapter 1:19-42 Here’s the story:-

The Jews sent priests of the sect of the Pharisees to enquire of John the Baptist who he was. This John had caused a stir amongst the established religion of the day because large numbers of people were going to Bethabara in the wilderness to hear John preach repentance and many of them were baptized in the river Jordan. (Matthew 3:1-6) John told these priests that he was not Elias or the Christ but quoted to them the prophecy of  Isaiah 40:3 saying ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord’.

It is clear from this expression, and these events that many people had access to the old testament scriptures foretelling of the coming of the Messiah – Jesus Christ, and they were looking for Him to come. He had now come, sought out John the baptist and was baptized by him.

The writer of these particular events (John the beloved) and Andrew were also followers of John the Baptist. As followers they heard him speak and presumably were also among those who were baptised by him. John records that the next day after Jesus was baptized, John the Baptist declared in the presence of he and Andrew  ‘Behold the Lamb of God’.

These two men hearing and seeing Jesus immediately followed Him. Noticing them following, Jesus asked ‘What seek ye?’ To their question ‘Where dwellest thou?’, He replied ‘Come and see.’ Andrew was so excited he went and found his brother Simon, saying ‘we have found the Messiah.’ All went to the dwelling place of Jesus to be taught by Him. What a blessing to be taught by the Savior, all that afternoon and into the evening. No doubt he expounded to them the scriptures concerning His coming as a further witness that He was the promised Messiah.

Little wonder then, later when Jesus met them at their nets on the sea of Galilee saying ‘follow me’ they straightway left their nets and followed Him – They already knew that He was the Christ, the Messiah – the Son of the Living God.

Jesus has promised that He will come again. Will you be ready this time? His invitation today is the same ‘Come and see.’ How can you know and follow Him?

Be prepared to be taught from the scriptures. Be prepared to have an open mind and heart as you seek truth. Be prepared to make changes in you life – you can be forgiven. Be prepared to follow Jesus by being baptized (as He was) by one having authority to have your sins remitted. Be prepared to do it straightway.

Seek for representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach you here.