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How to Make an Impact, February 2
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took
knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
.
When Christ was upon this earth, He did not direct fishermen to leave
their nets and boats, and go to the Jewish teachers to gain a preparation for
the gospel ministry. Walking by the Sea of Galilee, He 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. And
going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets;
and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and
followed him” (
Matthew 4:18-22
).
This prompt obedience, without any question, without one promise of
wages, seems remarkable. But the words of Christ were an invitation that
implied all that He meant it should. There was an impelling influence in
His words. There was no long explanation, but what He said had a drawing
power....
Christ would make these humble fishermen, in connection with Himself,
the means of taking men out of the service of Satan, and making them
believers in Christ, teaching them in regard to the kingdom of God. In this
work they would become His ministers, fishers of men....
Christ chose the foolish things of the world—those whom the world
pronounced unlearned and ignorant—to confound the wise men of the world.
The disciples were unlearned in the traditions of the rabbis, but with Christ
as their example and teacher, they were gaining an education of the highest
order; for they had before them a divine Example. Christ was presenting to
them truths of the highest character.
Those whom God employs to do service for Him, He would have fitted
in His way for that service. Those who preach Christ must learn of Christ
daily, in order to understand the mystery of saving and serving the souls for
whom He has died.... They must pattern after Him in all things, sharing His
tender compassion and His sternness against all evil working.—
Letter 53,
February 2, 1905
, to two leading workers at the newly established Paradise
Valley Sanitarium.
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