In a generation, culture and society that gives more importance to people who “lead”, to those who are or who want to be “masters”, Jesus’ call of His first disciples is an antithesis to this mindset of leadership.
Matthew 4:18-22 (also recorded in Mark 1:16-20) records Jesus’ call of His first disciples. Interestingly (or should I say ironically), He calls them by saying, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
The call is first to Follow (not lead). He is the Good Shepherd and we are the Sheep. The sheep always follows the voice of the shepherd unlike other cattle for which it does not matter if the Shepherd leads or follows behind. Sheep need the Shepherd to be in front of their eyes, directing them, to still waters and lush plenty pastures so they shall not want any good thing (Psalm 23).
We as His Sheep must Follow first. Only when we follow, can he make us as His word says – Follow me and I will make …. The Following is first, and only then comes the Making.
