Don't Change the Words of Jesus, Believe Them

S - “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you [my highlight] out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 NIVUK

O - This well-known exchange between Jesus and the brothers is misrepresented by the translators and publishers of this most recent edition of the NIV and NIVUK. The change appears to be a small one. One most likely justified under the guise of dynamic equivalency. The problem is it is not even close to what Jesus said and it obscures his way of engaging people. The verb (ποιέω) occurs in the New Testament 576 times according to Strong's Concordance, has no definition associated with sending and is never translated as send until now. In fact, no other translation renders this verb in this passage any other way than make (i.e. I will make you …). This story is also told in Mark 1 and there the NIVUK and NIV accurately translate the same verb as make. So why the change and more importantly why does it matter? Jesus did not say follow me and I will send you …, though he will later send them out. He said follow me and I will make you … and the critical point is what action is being accomplished in those following and who engages the action prescribed. Jesus wants the brothers to follow and he will do the making, transforming them into those who fish for people. Publishers should never change the words of Jesus and followers should believe them.

A - According to Jesus, he wants me/us to focus on following his person and he will focus on making his followers everything he intends for them/us to be. He does the creating and transforming; we don't make ourselves anything. He doesn't want our help he wants our cooperation. He leads and we follow. He does the making and we experience the joy of his person and the ongoing miracle of personal transformation.  I accept the assignment to follow and cooperate. He'll do the leading and the making -- beautiful!

P - Lord who leads and makes,

Thank you for calling all citizens of planet earth to the exact same point of engagement - following you. I'm relieved that I'm not required to make myself anything and to cooperate with everything you already have in mind to do in me and then to do together with you. I accept. I will live and pray in Jesus' name.

Steve