WHEN the Lord Jesus was here on earth there were just such scenes as we have in our picture this week. No doubt the style of their dress was very different, so there would be quite a different appearance to the picture; but in those days there were fishermen and they had their boats and their nets, for we read in Matt. 4:18-22 That Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee and saw two men there who were brothers, named Peter and Andrew, casting their nets into the sea and Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” So they left their nets and followed the Lord Jesus. He went on a little further and saw two other brothers, James and John by name, they were with their father in a boat mending their nets and the Lord Jesus called them and they left their boat and followed the Lord Jesus too.
These were the kind of men the Lord Jesus chose to follow Him and send them out to tell others of Himself. He chose the poor and the ignorant, and used such who were looked upon as nothing in this world, to tell the wonderful counsels of God.
What grace of God to come to man at all and to use any one to be His servant. Ah, yes, it is God’s way, for the Scripture says, “Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Cor. 1:26-2926For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26‑29).
We often see the wealthy and well educated despise the things of God, but the poor and humble are far more ready to listen to the word of God and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ whom God has sent.
I trust none of my young readers may be filled with pride and be seeking for honor in this world, but may take their proper place before God as needy sinners, and accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and the day of honor and great blessing for such will be when the Lord comes again.
As we look at our picture and see these fishermen of low degree, and remember how the Lord took such up, may we rather rejoice if our place is nothing in this world, that we do not have the wealth and honor to hinder us from coming to the Lord Jesus, and if we have come to Him, rejoice that our portion is far better than if we had all that this world could give us.
ML 03/07/1909