From the Pastor’s Heart

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-19

 Fishermen, they are the ones whom Jesus picked out of the crowd. Fishermen. Jesus didn’t choose prominent figures. He didn’t choose the leader of the synagogue. He didn’t choose a rich land owner, civic leader or well-known businessman. He chose fishermen as his first disciples. It would seem highly unlikely that one who came to rescue God’s people from worldly powers that defy God would chose such a band of brothers to become the first members of his followers, but he did.

 What is even more curious to us in these so many years after Jesus walked the earth is why Simon, Andrew, and later James and John left their nets, their families and even their lives behind and followed this unknown Jesus. Jesus wasn’t well known at this point. He wasn’t famous. As far as anyone knew, he was a carpenter from Nazareth. But indeed, they did follow and they became the builders of the church Jesus instituted so that the world could learn of God’s salvation through the death and resurrection of his Son.

Now here we are in the year 2020 and Jesus is still calling disciples to build up his church so that all who have not heard the name Jesus may hear the truth of the Gospel. Jesus calls all Christians to be disciples, to take up their cross and follow, just as he called Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Our Lord calls us to learn from him, do the things he did, and live for the sake of others that they might be saved. The only things left to consider is will we follow? Will we leave behind all that hinders us, all that keeps us from being about the work of Christ? Will we learn to cast our nets and fish for people?

Being disciples and making disciples is central to the ministry of the NALC. Since the beginning of our denomination nearly ten years ago, we have heard the call to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Slowly, gradually, I have begun bringing this movement to St. Jacob’s. For the past twelve months, a handful of church family members and I have studied together and explored the life of discipleship. Now, as we begin this new year, more church family members will engage in this discussion and study until our congregation as a whole has the opportunity to follow our Lord on this journey of faith. We will be learning more about being disciples of Jesus and finding ways to make disciples for him as we share our faith with our community. What we will one day recognize is a change in the culture of our congregation. One where worship is paramount, fellowship is increased, and prayer becomes central to what we do as we engage more deeply in the mission of the church.

Dear friends, living as disciples of Jesus is something all Christians are called to do. Casting our nets and fishing for people is the work our Lord Jesus has given not only to us, but all of his followers. I pray that as you read this, you will become curious as did Simon and Andrew. I pray that you would become eager as did James and John. And I pray that our church family, all of us together, will become fishers of people, following our Lord Jesus as his disciples on a journey of faith.

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila