"...and I'll make you become fishers of men."

Some notes from Darren Holland's talk at the Cru large group meeting earlier tonight. Darren is the Missional Team Leader with Cru at WSU:

Last week we talked about the invitation Jesus gives to "follow me." But what comes after that? Jesus says, "Follow me and I'll make you become fishers of men." This is a small window in to what the future holds, though those fishermen being called could not imagine all the ramifications.

Jesus starts with average men. They were what amounts to commercial fishermen. Not highly educated religious leaders, but rather men that were teachable, would work hard and get things done, and most importantly, would follow Jesus no matter the cost.

Jesus promises to change these average men into something new. He will do it. It will be a process that is not completed overnight, but he promises these men are going to change others. The followers will fish, and they will fish alongside others. As commercial fishing was a team endeavor, fishing for men would be a community endeavor.

What if we all went fishing? Is it worth the cost, effort, and sacrifice to fish for men and women? If we are followers, are we not called to fish? And as former fish ourselves, don't we know how good it is to be "caught" by the gospel?

Perhaps Mark 1:17 could be summarized as "changed lives, changing lives". Is your life being changed as you follow Jesus? Who's life will be changed because of you?