JANUARY 2024

Dear Church,

Let us become fishers of men and women!

Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:17-18)

We are always interested in making a new start in our lives. Particularly, when the New Year begins, we desire to practice something new. As believers in Christ, we wish to take steps to fulfil our discipleship. How long are we going to remain milk-fed infants? Do we not want to grow? Are we not interested in chewing the meat? Are we not eager to shift from the ‘maintenance phase’ to the ‘mission phase’?

When you watch children play with toys, you will often see one treasured toy abandoned without a second thought in favour of something new. A child does this without even being aware that anything is being left behind. Perhaps we can learn from the play of children. When we hear this passage, we tend to focus on what a huge leap it was for the first disciples to abandon their nets. Perhaps it would help to look at the disciples' response to Jesus' call as a child responding to an exciting new game. In the disciples, we find an example of how to joyfully embrace the invitation to show God's love to others.

How and when have we experienced being called by Jesus? What have we "left behind" to follow Him? We are commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are not left alone to take up this mission call - He will certainly be with us in every step we take.

Jesus’ words in the Great Commission reveal the heart of God, who desires “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This compels us to share the good news until everyone has heard. Like the servants in Jesus’ parable, we are to be about the Kingdom’s work, making disciples of all nations: “He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).


Wishing you a wonderful and peace-filled New Year!


God Bless,
Amutha