In this well-known account, the Lord Jesus first called Simon Peter and Andrew, and then He also called James and John. In both cases they left their fishing business behind to follow the Lord. However, notice the Scripture does not say that they left their fishing business in order to become fishers of men. It is true the Lord had said He would make them that. But what do the verses say? They left everything in order to follow Him.

Why do we point out this difference? Simply for this reason, to emphasize the object that was before Peter and Andrew, and James and John. Service, catching men, was not the object before them. Christ Himself was. They followed Him.

We may illustrate the point we are trying to make by looking at the difference in the two accounts of Martha’s service in Luke 10 and John 12. In Luke 10, the service itself was Martha’s focus, and so she became “worried and troubled about many things.” She even began complaining that her sister was not serving as she thought she should! But in John 12, the Lord Himself was her object, and all was for His glory. There was no complaining about others here, but rather her service perfectly complemented the service of others.

Of course, we realize that most are not called to leave work, or home, or family in order to serve the Lord. But we all are called to serve Him in whatever circumstances He has placed us. We are all servants who are to occupy until He comes (Lk. 19:13).

May the Lord give grace to all of us that in whatever service He may bring to our hands to do, that He Himself would be our object, and that our desire would be to glorify Him.