FISHERS OF MEN

During a recent Sunday outing to a state park, several people were fishing from the shoreline.  A couple of men were fishing for more than the three hours I was there. People of all ages, from teenage girls to families with young children, to couples, were trying their hand at the sport of fishing. Most people would come for a bit and then leave, without catching anything.  Only the men I saw there the longest got rewarded. I heard them say they caught fish #7 and #8.

 

 

I spent my time at a picnic table in the shade reading and writing, enjoying a peaceful, quiet day in the presence of the Lord.  As I was observing the people and their fishing, my thoughts took me back to the shore of the Sea of Galilee with Jesus and His disciples~~

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Immediately they left their nets and followed him.  –Matthew 4:18-20  (ESV)

 

This scenario got me thinking about how our lives, the privilege of being fishers of men, are relatable to fishing for fish!

The basic steps to fishing are-

–put your bait on,

–cast your line,

–reel in your line,

–repeat the sequence.

 

Consider how the fishing pole can be symbolic of our lives, while the fish in the water symbolic of the people in our lives…

…The bait we use is the fruit of the Spirit, love–peace–kindness–goodness–gentleness, even compassion, which we cast out in the sea of life.

…As we cast our bait out into the world, ripples are created in the water spreading more goodness to the multitudes.

…Sometimes when we cast our line, it gets stuck on something.  Our life might need a little redirection.

…Sometimes when we cast our line, it does not go far enough into the water.  Maybe we need a little more strength or encouragement to gain some more confidence.

…We “reel” the people in, to a closer relationship with Jesus, blessing one person at a time.

…Our goal is to keep casting the line, using the bait of our love to show the Light of Christ.

…Keep repeating the sequence, being true fishers of men!

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Leonard J Matthews under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Just as the men were so happy when they finally reeled in another fish, our lives are filled with joy and excitement as we touch lives in Jesus’ name.

While many people did not wait long enough to catch any fish, we need to be patient in fishing for men.  We might not see any results right away, but we need to live faithfully day by day.  We never know when something we say or do may influence another’s life.  The fishermen who stayed the longest, waiting with patient expectation, received the reward.  It reminded me of this story~~

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”  “Master,” Simon replied, “We worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  –Luke 5:4-6  (NLT)

 

 

Another good catch

 

Ponder the fact that Jesus, the Savior of the world, called simple, ordinary people, most of them fishermen, as His first followers.  Jesus did not choose the richest nor the most famous or powerful ones to be His closest friends.  Even though when Jesus first called those earliest disciples, He mentioned being “fishers of men,” notice how they went back to fishing after Jesus died~~

Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.  Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.  –John 21:2-3  (ESV)

 

Right before Jesus’ resurrection, He tells His disciples:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 1:8  (NLT)

Jesus reminded the disciples of their true calling, first and foremost, to be fishers of men, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus everywhere and to everyone!

 

Reflecting on these thoughts brings me comfort.  It makes me realize how God calls us all, just simple, ordinary people, to be fishers of men, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, in our little ways.  Fishing for men is our highest calling, our mission, that we are privileged to be a part of through the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

 

Be a Fisher of Men!

 

This week I encourage you to think about fishing–fishing for men.  Just as Jesus called the first disciples to do so with their lives, He calls us to as well!

How are you living out your highest calling to be a fisher of men?

 

Remember-

–put your bait on,

–cast your line,

–reel in your line,

–repeat the sequence.

 

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.”  –Matthew 13:47-48  (NIV)