Jesus was quite intentional about who He wanted to be His first disciples.  Today we start the account of how He called Simon, who He later renamed Peter (Matthew 16:18).  This fisherman already knew Jesus; the Master had stayed in his house at Capernaum and healed his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39).  But Simon was still going about his usual business - mending nets and preparing the boat in the daytime, and fishing at night.  Jesus deliberately chose that shallow bay, where the boats were partly hauled-out, to teach the crowd.

As the crowd increased, Jesus moved back towards the water's edge.  Then He stepped into one boat: Simon's. Jesus took command and asked him to anchor some meters away from the shore.  This provided the ideal preaching platform as the water and the background hills would have reflected the sound of His voice like an amphitheatre.  But of all the people listening, Jesus wanted to ensure that one pair of ears heard every word: Simon's!

None of these 'co-incidences' were accidents.  Nothing Jesus does is random, or accidental.  He had fully intended to call Simon, so first Jesus wanted to make sure that the fisherman was listening.  Although Jesus was speaking to everybody, He was especially talking to Simon; and healing his mother-in-law was all part of the plan.  Now, Simon could not escape. With water all around him and the need to safeguard both his boat and his self-invited guest, Simon had the added pressure that everybody was looking at him, as well as at Jesus.  Jesus had his full attention.

Today as then, Jesus meets people where they are, at work and at home.  Those meetings are part of God's strategy to win the hearts of those He has chosen.  Often, as in this story, the encounter with Jesus grows as people meet Christians at work, in leisure or over a meal.  They may not understand the Master's plan but Jesus intentionally draws them to the place where they can hear His Word.  For some that may be months or even years down the trail.  But it all starts somewhere.  God chooses the places and times when He arranges His people to be available for hospitality, acts of kindness or compassion, a word of encouragement or message of hope in times of trouble.  But then, Jesus follows through so that individuals can hear and receive the Word of truth.  The message may come through a believer at work, social media or an internet presentation like www.crosscheck.org.uk, a church service, mission or radio/TV programme. Wherever you are today: ask the Lord how He might use you to be a part of the chain of truth-telling events which will win another disciple for Jesus (Acts 8:4).