Fear Not by Meade MacGuire

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1913

"Fear Not"

By Meade MacGuire

MEADE MAC GUIRE

WHEN Jesus called the men who were to carry forward his work on earth, he chose them from the humble walks of life. At least four of them were fishermen by occupation, and the manner in which they were called furnishes us with an impressive lesson.

They had not fully united with Jesus for service, nor abandoned their occupation, though they had been associating with him, seeing his miracles, and listening to his teaching. Apparently they would follow Jesus for a time, and then go home for a fishing expedition to earn money for their needs.

On one of these occasions they toiled all night with no success. No doubt they were weary and disheartened with their failure, and disappointed because they had not succeeded in getting the means which would enable them to rejoin the Saviour. But in the morning as they reached the shore, the Master was awaiting them. He stepped into Peter's boat and began teaching the multitude. As soon as the discourse was ended, he said to Peter, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draft."

Though night was the only favorable time for fishing in the clear waters of the lake, and though they had fished all night and caught nothing, the result of obeying this command was a net so full that it began to break. James and John were called, and both boats were filled till they were at the point of sinking.

Peter was deeply impressed. He began to see his own helplessness and also the possibilities of a work which was sustained by divine power. As he fell at the feet of Jesus in humility and self-renunciation, he received the great assurance and commission: "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."

Jesus meant this great commission not for Peter only, but for all his followers till the end of time. It is the fear of failure, the fear that all the toil and effort and sacrifice shall be fruitless, that

no heart will respond, no soul be won to Christ, which keeps many from enlisting in personal work for him. But he points to his mighty miracle-working power and says, "Fear not," only give me your life as an unobstructed channel, and "from henceforth thou shalt catch men." He says to us to-day: "He who turns the hearts of men as the rivers of waters are turned, can bring the most selfish, sin-hardened soul to surrender to Christ." The power is his, and is sufficient to fill our nets, but we must be yielded fully for his use.

Turning from Peter, he addressed the others, Andrew, James, and John, saying, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Gathering the fishes from the sea, hunting for the missing sheep upon the mountain, compelling the lost to come in from the highways and hedges,—this is our work. The time is short. The harvest is great. The laborers are few. Give him all there is of you, and have his precious assurance, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."