Listen to Devotion

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

“Follow me.” Those two words changed Andrew and Peter’s lives forever. Up to that point, they were regular, ordinary men working at their job. But then, Jesus came to them and changed their lives forever.

Notice that Jesus does not say to them, “Become something extraordinary, and then, come, follow me.” He does not demand specific qualifications, spiritual maturity, or proven obedience. Instead, he calls them as they are.

And he promises that he will change them: “I will make you…” The power to change lives exists not in the disciples themselves, but in the Word of Jesus that creates what it commands. Just as God once spoke light into existence, Jesus now speaks faith to follow him into the hearts of fishermen.

“Follow me.” Those two words continue to be heard in unlikely places by unlikely recipients. Jesus’ call continues to be passed down through the Word of God to reach the ears and the hearts of the most unworthy people imaginable—you and me.

Jesus does not wait until we have sorted out our lives, cleared our nets, or resolved every spiritual question. He calls us as we are. He steps into the middle of our ordinary routines and says, “Come, follow me.” His call is an act of grace.

Jesus’ call continues to change countless hearts, minds, and lives still today.

“I will make you fishers of men.” This is the noble purpose Jesus has given to us in our lives. Notice again who does the work. Christian living is Jesus shaping us, through his Word, into people who naturally reflect his mercy and speak his gospel.

The disciples left their nets, but they gained a Savior. They left their boats, but they received a life-changing mission. They left their security, but they entered the kingdom of heaven opened to them by Jesus.

We, too, follow Jesus daily as he continues to call us through his Word of truth and grace. We trust him to continue forming us into his people and sending us out on his loving, life-changing mission.

Jesus, thank you for calling me by your grace. Give me ears to hear your Word, a heart to trust you, and hands willing to serve. Shape my life according to your will. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.