Calling of the Fishermen

Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

While Jesus was by the Sea of Galilee, many people crowded around to hear Him teach the word of God. Jesus saw two ships by the shore where the fishermen were washing their nets. He stepped onto Simon Peter's ship, asking the fishermen to move it from the shore; then He sat down and taught the people from the ship. (See Luke 5:13.)

When Jesus finished speaking, He told Peter to take the boat out where the water was deep and let down the nets for a large catch of fish (see Luke 5:4). Peter told Jesus that he and the other fishermen had worked all night without catching any fish. "Nevertheless," he continued, "at thy word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5). Peter and Andrew lowered their net into the water, and it was filled with so many fish that it started to break. They called their partners, James and John, who were in another ship, to help them, and they filled both ships with so many fish that the ships began to sink. (See Luke 5:6-7.)

When Simon Peter saw all the fish, he fell down at Jesus' knees and said, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). Peter and the others were amazed at the great number of fish they had caught (see Luke 5:9-10).

When Jesus said to Simon Peter and Andrew, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," they left their nets and followed Him (see Matthew 4:19; see also Matthew 4:20; Mark 1:17-18; Luke 5:10-11). Jesus also called James and John to follow Him; they did as He asked, immediately leaving their ship and their father (see Matthew 4:21-22; Mark 1:19-20).

Summary

One day, Jesus taught from Peter's boat on the Sea of Galilee. Afterward He told Peter to take the boat to deep water and let out the nets to catch fish. Peter explained that he and others had been fishing all night without catching anything, but he said he would do as Jesus commanded. Peter and his brother Andrew caught so many fish that their net began to break. James and John came in another boat to help. The fishermen were all amazed. Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him and become fishers of men. He also called James and John. They all left their boats and nets and followed Jesus.

Artist, Harry Anderson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: I was looking through the pictures of Christ and realized that in almost all of them He is dressed in white. Now I know it symbolizes purity, cleanliness, etc.,....but this picture makes me nervous 'cause I just know he's going to get all dirty on that fishing boat! ;) (It's like when I watch "Night At the Museum"....I don't really enjoy the experience because I keep thinking....Who is going to clean all of this up before the doors open?!....I know....it's just a movie!)

Calling of the 12 Apostles. There is a difference between a Disciple and an Apostle. One we may choose for ourselves, the other... we are chosen by Him. In Hebrews 5:4 we learn that a man cannot take upon himself the Priesthood; it must be bestowed by one with Priesthood Authority. One of the things that I find very comforting is that Heavenly Father is a God of order! In the Topical Guide we find scriptures that tell us God is unchangeable. When I was younger I didn't really appreciate or like that concept (I mean after all I was so special I wanted exceptions made for me....heavy on the sarcasm there.) I now understand the idea of an "unchanging God" and it brings me great peace of mind. I can always trust Him! He doesn't change the rules just as you're getting the hang of the game! What does that have to do with being called as an Apostle? We have the evidence that Jesus called his Apostles during his mortal ministry so how would His Apostles be called today? Do old men just get together and decide who they want to promote to a new position in the church? NO, they do not!

Apostles Are Called by Revelation:

An example which illustrates how apostles are called today is taken from the life of President Joseph Fielding Smith:

"For an hour or more the Church Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles, meeting in the Salt Lake Temple in April, 1910, had discussed various men as possibilities to fill the vacancy in the council occasioned by the death of President John R. Winder on March 27, and the subsequent advancement of Apostle John Henry Smith to the presidency. But to every name suggested there was some exception taken. It seemed impossible to reach any unanimity of feeling in the matter. Finally President Joseph F. Smith retired to a room by himself and knelt in prayer for guidance. (President Joseph F. Smith was the Prophet at that time.) When he returned he somewhat hesitantly asked the 13 other brethren whether they would be willing to consider his son Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. for the position. He was reluctant to suggest it, he said, because ....Church members, he feared, would be disgruntled to have another of his sons appointed as a general authority. Nevertheless he felt inspired to offer Joseph's name for their consideration. The other men seemed immediately receptive to the suggestion and sustained President Smith in it...

Years later Heber J. Grant, who by then was president of the Church and who was present in the council meeting in the temple the day Joseph was chosen in 1910, assured a group of the correctness of the decision: It was at a Smith family reunion. President Grant pointed to Joseph Fielding and said, 'That man was called by direct revelation of God. I am a witness to that fact.'" (Smith and Stewart, The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith, pp. 174, 177.)

There will always be critics about the way the Church operates. Just in the past few years several new Apostles have been called and watching the press ask questions helps me know that people who don't believe in revelation will not understand the process of callings.

In May and November of each year you will find a picture of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ensign magazine.