Basic HTML Version
146
Humble Hero
had been led to renounce himself, he received the call to work for
Christ.
The disciples had witnessed many of Christ’s miracles and had
listened to His teaching, but none of them had left their former
employment completely. The imprisonment of John the Baptist had
been a bitter disappointment to them. If this was the outcome of
John’s mission, they could have little hope for their Master, with the
religious leaders united against Him. It was a relief to return to their
fishing for a little while. But now Jesus called them to abandon their
former life and unite their interests with His. Peter had accepted
the call. On reaching shore, Jesus invited the three others, “Follow
Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left
everything and followed Him.
Sacrifice Rewarded
Before asking them to leave their fishing boats, Jesus had given
them the assurance that God would supply their needs. He richly
repaid them for the use of Peter’s boat. He who is “rich to all who
call upon Him,” has said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good
measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”
Romans
10:12
;
Luke 6:38
. This was the measure He had used in rewarding
Peter’s service. And every sacrifice made in His ministry will be
repaid. See
Ephesians 2:7
;
3:20
.
During that sad night on the lake, separated from Christ, unbelief
[108]
pressed hard upon the disciples. But Jesus’ presence ignited their
faith and brought joy and success. It is the same with us: apart from
Christ our work is fruitless, and it is easy to distrust and complain.
But when we labor under His direction, we rejoice in the evidence
of His power. He inspires us with faith and hope. He whose word
could gather the fish from the sea can also impress human hearts
and draw them so that His servants may become “fishers of men.”
Christ was abundantly able to qualify humble and unschooled
men for the position for which He had chosen them. The Savior
did not despise education. When it is controlled by the love of God,
intellectual culture is a blessing. But the wise men of His time were
so self-confident that they could not become colaborers with the
Man of Nazareth. They scorned Christ’s efforts to teach them. The