As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.
They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John.
They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.
Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22
One day, as Jesus walked alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw four fishermen doing what they had always done.
They were casting nets into the lake—working the family business. It was good, honest work. It put food on the table for their families. And it gave them a sense of purpose I’m sure.
Then Jesus spoke two life-changing sentences:
“Come, follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people.”
And with that invitation, they followed him.
They left the nets. They left the boat. Two of them even left their father standing there.
Picture it: They walked away from nets and boats, income, predictability, and the life they had always known. They let go of everything.
Why?
Because Jesus invited them to something better, more meaningful, more significant. Specifically, He invited them to a life spent reaching people instead of gathering things.
That decision—leaving possessions behind to pursue people—is not just a powerful metaphor for us to ponder, it is an example for us to follow. And we should be careful not to miss it.
Now, it is true that most of us will never be asked to walk away from our jobs, sell our house, and leave town to become full-time missionaries in a foreign land. God does still call men and women into that role in His kingdom, and if He is calling you to that kind of life, obey with joy and do not stoop to become a king.
But even if God’s calling on our life keeps us in the same town, the same career, the same home, the example of the disciples is one we should still apply to our own circumstances:
People matter more than possessions. And if our possessions (whether in pursuit or accumulation) are keeping us from loving and reaching people, our things should be removed with great joy.
Our jobs exist to provide, not to possess us.
Our homes exist to shelter and welcome, not to define us.
Our wardrobes exist to clothe us, not to chase endless trends.
Our vehicles exist to move us around town, not show off our success.
Our possessions exist to serve, not to compete for our time, attention, energy, and affection. Because when they do, we miss out on the incredible opportunity God is offering and inviting us to.
Every morning Jesus walks by and invites us, “Follow me…and put people first in your life.”
May we have the courage to do that and run the glorious race He has set before us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus’s invitation on my life and the disciples’ example—leaving their nets to follow Jesus and reach people. Show me where possessions are keeping me from loving and reaching others. And give me the courage to let them go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.