Mark (and Matthew) recorded when Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be “fishers of men” (Mk. 1:16-20; Matt. 4:18-22). These men had already met Jesus at the time of this calling (Jn. 1), and now Jesus sees them fishing in the Sea of Galilee and calls for them to be “fishers of men.” What a unique thing to say to these men. How can someone go from fishing for fish to fishing for men? Christ would spend the next three years preparing them for the work!

            What’s necessary to fish for men? Could I suggest there are several similarities between this and fishing for fish? First, one needs a net if he’s going to catch fish or catch men! The spiritual net that is spread is the Word of God! Christ wanted them to “cast” this “net” far and wide. He told them to preach about repentance and that “the kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Mk. 6; Lk. 10; Matt. 10). In like manner, are we looking for ways to “cast” the gospel net today? Have we thought of ways to use what opportunities we have to tell others about the Lord? If not, why not?

            Another thing these fishers needed was patience! Just as fish aren’t always caught right away, so also, men can be cantankerous and wish to fight against the truth of God’s word. The apostles needed patience! Paul also taught this to Timothy in II Timothy 4:2. The original twelve apostles would see the patience of Christ as He taught the people continually and faced opposition daily (Mk. 2:7; etc.). As “fishers of men,” these men needed patience, just as a farmer has patience when he plants the seed and waits for the harvest (Mk. 4:1-9, 14-20)! Today, we need patience as we teach folks about the Lord. A wise person once told me, “Don’t expect a person to learn in five minutes what it took you five years to learn.” Yes, patience is needed as we teach and show people what it means to be a Christian.

            Fishermen also need faith that the method will work! The method for catching fish on Galilee is that one fishes at night and on the shallow end. We get a picture of this in Luke 5:5, and when we read Mark 1:16, and read about Jesus walking “by the sea,” i.e., on the beach, and He sees Simon (Peter) and Andrew “casting a net into the sea.” Evidently, they were standing on the beach as well and throwing their nets into Galilee. In the case of fishing for men, the Lord taught these men a method that works! They were to preach God’s word in its fulness and simplicity. They were to teach it faithfully to all (Mk. 6:12, 16:15; Lk. 10:9; Matt. 10:7). When these faithful men preached the truth, it would produce faith in others (Rom. 10:17). The same is true today! The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Changing the message or changing the way God wants men to know the truth won’t produce Christians! We need to trust God that His way works every time it’s tried!

            Just like fishermen, these “fishers of men” had to go where the “fish” (men) were to catch them! We’ve referred several times in this article to the times when Jesus sent His disciples to preach. He sent them to where the people were in order to spread this message. Before His ascension, Jesus would say a similar thing (Mk. 16:15), instructing His apostles to go “into all the world”! Why? It was so they could “preach the gospel to every creature”! They had to go where the people were! Paul would do this, and we see him going to the synagogues in the various cities often because this is where the people were (Acts 17:3)! It does no one any good if we have a message but refuse to make it known! In this country, opportunities abound to spread the gospel. Yes, even in a pandemic, we can talk with people about the Lord! (Don’t forget your children, Eph. 6:4! Don’t assume that this “captive audience” knows the gospel if you’ve never taught it.) In addition to face-to-face meetings, we can write letters to people (remember those?), send texts, send emails, write a note on “social media,” make a phone call, and take advantage of numerous other ways to get God’s message out.

            Christ needed “fishers of men” 2000 years ago in Galilee, and He needs them today. Are you going to step up to the work (Matt. 9:37-38)?

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

         In Hebrew 2:1-5, the Jewish Christians were shown the great salvation that belongs to those in Christ. What is it that makes salvation great? Let’s find out.

First, a great God planned our salvation (Heb. 2:3). God promised that it would be through Abraham that “all families” of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). We can also read in the Bible of the multiple prophecies of a coming Savior (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; 53; etc.). When learning about our great salvation, we see forethought and extensive planning on God’s part.

Next, we see a great Savior executed the plan. Passages like Genesis 3:15, Psalm 22, and Isaiah 53 show us that God’s plan included Jesus dying as a sacrifice for man’s sins. While on earth, Jesus had one motive: to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). His life, death, and resurrection was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. For example, His crucifixion in Matthew 27 was the fulfillment of Isaiah 53. Jesus also prophesied of His own death and burial (Matt. 12:40). Such was foreshadowed in the life of Jonah. He then prophesied that He was to be resurrected the third day (Jn. 2:19). The four gospel accounts record His resurrection in which even His enemies declared that Jesus had risen! The Bible states that Christ’s resurrection gives us the hope of everlasting life (I Cor. 15:13-20; I Pet. 1:3). God’s plan for this great salvation was executed flawlessly by the Sinless Savior (Matt. 5:17; John 17:4, 19:30). We can have salvation today, thanks to what He has done!

Great miracles were performed to prove Jesus is our Savior. (Heb. 2:3-4). These miracles showed that Jesus was the Son of God and that He was speaking the truth (Jn. 2:11, 23; 4:46-54; 11:43-48). The Apostles and 1st Century Christians used miracles for the same reason (Acts 13:7-12). What good would it have done for God to offer salvation to people who wouldn’t believe Him? They didn’t have Bibles to read as we do (I Cor. 13:8-10), thus the need for miracles, signs, and wonders.

The simplicity of obedience makes salvation great! What good would it do for God to devise a plan of salvation that was impossible for man to obey? God’s commands have always been stated so that man can accomplish them. For example, in Genesis 2:15-17, mankind was to dress and keep the Garden of Eden and stay away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Wasn’t that simple? In II Kings 5:10-14, we read about Naaman, who complained about God’s plan for cleansing him from leprosy (an incurable disease) because it was so simple! Today, God’s plan of salvation is that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), repent of our sins, and be baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). Isn’t this plan simple? Have you obeyed it yet?

Finally, a great reward awaits those who accept God’s great salvation. This reward is an inheritance for His people (Matt. 25:34; I Pet. 1:3-4). This reward provides great joy to those saved (Matt. 25:21, 23). One of the best parts about this great reward is that those saved will be in the presence of Jesus forever (Jn. 14:1-3). This great reward makes salvation great! Will you neglect this great salvation? I hope not!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

            Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) states unmistakably that Christ “purged our sins.” Other versions use terms like “made purification,” “cleansed/cleansing,” and “washed away.” It is evident that this was done at the cross. In fact, as we read Hebrews 1:3, we see that once He purged (cleansed) our sins, He sat down at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19; Acts 2:33; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1). I marvel at the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and the ability to succinctly describe the death and ascension of Christ for our salvation in one verse.

            Purging our sins would mean a great deal to the Hebrew Christians. They were well-aware of the sacrifices of bulls, goats, sheep, heifers, and the like. Yet, these sacrifices were not sufficient to forgive sin. Hebrews ten says the law was a “shadow of good things to come” (10:1), and the sacrifices offered served a purpose, but they could not take away sins (10:4). Yet, Jesus, in His sacrifice, was able to purge or cleanse us from our sins (1:3) -- something the Old Law wasn’t able to do! Hebrews 10:10 repeats this fact.

            What an encouragement this would have been to the people to stay faithful to Christ and not return to Judaism! Christ is the One who has purged us from sin! The dead altars of the past could do nothing of the sort. Why then, would they want to leave Christ and go back to them?

            What does this mean to us in the 21st century? Do we not still have a problem with sin? Yes, we do (Rom. 3:23)! Sin still results in the same death it always has (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15). Now, however, instead of planning for someone in the future to purge our sins, One has already come to do that! We have a way in which we can be saved. In our salvation, we do not look toward our past for the answer, toward the practices of ancient people, to the whims and wishes of men today, or to philosophies that may dominate our culture. Instead, we look to the same Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). He is the answer!

            What has Jesus done? He has died upon the cross, and His blood was shed “for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:12-14). Now, when we believe on Christ (Jn. 8:24), repent of our sins (Lk. 13:3), confess our faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and are baptized (Mk. 16:16), we can be saved from sin! In baptism, we come in contact with the cleansing effect of that blood! (Rom. 6:3-6). Yes, our sins can be cleansed, purged, or washed away, thanks to Christ (Acts 22:16).

            Through the shed blood of Christ, the purging of our sins is possible. Now, will we accept the Lord’s conditions or not? Why would we want to refuse the greatest offer ever given to man? Why would we refuse the only way our sins can be purged? Don’t delay (II Cor. 6:2)! Take advantage of the Lord’s precious gift now while you have the time and opportunity (Heb. 3:7-8)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

                   When we read the book of Hebrews, it is evident that “better” is a keyword. Christ is contrasted with the angels and Moses. His priesthood is contrasted with Aaron’s, and His covenant contrasted with the Old Covenant. These and many other things (blood, etc.) show Christ and what He did to be “better” than all others. This is how God intended it.

                   I wonder if we miss one of the contrasts, though, because it is presented so early in the book. It is seen in the first two verses of Hebrews. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb. 1:1-2).

                   While there is no question that the Holy Spirit inspired Old Testament writers and prophets (II Pet. 1:20-21), there is something different and notable about the fact that “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:14). Again, note the contrast in Hebrews one. In the past, God revealed His will in various ways and by various means. He stopped doing that when Christ came to earth. Christ came with a mission and a message, and it behooves all of us to listen! I think it is interesting to note that in the presence of Moses and Elijah, the words came from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5)!

                   When Jesus left the earth, the apostles had a message to preach (Mk. 16:15). Paul called it “the word of reconciliation” (II Cor. 5:20). It was the same message he taught “everywhere in every church” (I Cor. 4:17). The message of Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection was taught as reality by Paul and all of those preaching in the first century, and it needs to be preached today with the same fervor and fire (I Cor. 2:2, 15:1-4).

                   This message is contrasted with Old Testament preaching because while those godly people preached about One to come, we can now preach that He has come to this world. What they looked forward to, we can have the trust and understanding that it has happened. What those from the Old Testament saw as a far-off glimmer, we see as the “day star” (II Pet. 1:19).

                   I hope this will help us see that great contrast in Hebrews 1:1-2.  The Old Testament people had God’s word given to them (Rom. 3:1-2). This was indeed a great blessing. Greater still was when the word became flesh and dwelt among us! It was when the words were no longer words of what was to come, but words that proclaimed it has happened! God has kept His promises! We have salvation at our grasp because of the sacrifice of the Lord! Are you glad that you live in a time when you can benefit from the knowledge given since God has spoken to us through His Son?

                   As I close this, let me hasten to add I am not trying to take anything away from the work of the Holy Spirit after Christ ascended (Jn. 14-16; Acts 2; etc.). In this study, however, I have tried to emphasize what the text emphasizes – how God has spoken to us through Christ in these last days. What a blessing it is to have a Bible in our hands. Let us read it, learn, and obey, and we will see for ourselves how Christ is better than all!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

            John told Gaius, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III Jn. 4). This statement, though short, teaches us several things. Let us break this verse down, see what John was saying, and make some applications to our lives.

“I Have No Greater Joy” - Nothing gave John greater joy than to know that Gaius, Demetrius (v. 12), and other Christians (i.e., “friends,” v. 14) were holding fast to the Lord. He had his joy set on things eternal and not temporal (II Cor. 4:18). In other words, John’s joy didn’t rest in men’s opinion of him or some physical pursuit. John’s joy was in knowing that faithful Christians were doing their duty for the Lord! (See: II John 4)

            Friend, what gives you joy? Is it vacations? Physical pursuits? Work? Children? Cars? Hobbies? These things might bring momentary happiness, but what brings joy? Is our true joy found in spiritual things? If we truly love the brethren as we ought (I Pet. 2:17), we will be able to speak as John concerning the well-doing of brethren all over this country and world!

“Than To Hear” - Though he wasn’t there in body, John was concerned for the brethren. He wanted “to hear” about Gaius, and others and learn about their welfare. I know brethren who look down on such concern for others, but John (and the other apostles) showed us the proper example (I Cor. 4:16, 11:1; Phil. 3:17; Eph. 5:1-2). Please understand, John wasn’t interested in gossip, etc., but genuinely concerned for their souls. This needs to be our attitude as well (Prov. 25:25).

            Other apostles showed concern for the brethren as well. We see Paul’s care for brethren through all of his epistles (II Cor. 11:28; Rom. 16:1-15; I Cor. 1:11; Phil. 4:21; Col. 4:15, 17). The same goes for Peter (I Pet. 1:1, 2:17; II Pet. 1:1).

            How concerned are we for our brethren? Do we show it through prayers? Through financial support or other means? Are we so caught up in ourselves that we don’t have time to “hear” about the welfare of other Christians?

“My Children” - This does not have reference to his physical lineage, but to those he had been instrumental in bringing to the Lord. The apostle Paul used the same language for those he taught (I Cor. 4:15, 17; I Tim. 1:1-2; II Tim. 1:1-2; Titus 1:4).

I think it is interesting to note that we are never told about the apostles’ physical children. (For example, we know the apostle Peter had children, I Pet. 5:1!) I wonder if this was done so we would keep our eyes on the apostles who pointed us to Christ, rather than on their descendants that we might treat as “royalty,” or give them some special position in the church that God never intended?

            Brethren, what is our attitude toward fellow Christians? Do we strive for closeness? Do we treat one another as brethren? Let’s ask this another way: How many can we consider “children” in the sense the John and Paul used the word (II Tim. 2:2)?

“Walk In Truth” - The word “walk” describes one’s manner of life or behavior. This was seen as Gaius showed hospitality toward others, and showed the right example to fellow Christians not traveling (III Jn. 5-8). In other words, Gaius was faithfully following God despite the difficulties that surrounded him. He didn’t merely give lip-service to the truth, but was walking in it! John said those, like Gaius, who were walking in the truth brought him great joy. Why did he have joy? It is because he knew that what they were doing pleased the Father (II Jn 4; III Jn. 4). Let us examine ourselves so that when the Lord returns, He will find us walking in truth.

- Jarrod M. Jacobs