Fishing for Men

Fishing is a wonderful sport.  Being surrounded by nature, bonding with others, and the thrill of the catch lure many into this activity. Yet not everyone likes to fish, they would rather watch paint dry.  Or as a friend of mine commented, I am not a fisherman I’m a "catcherman". Meaning if the fish aren’t biting, I’m going home.

Many of Jesus disciples were fishermen.  However, for them, fishing was not a hobby, it was their livelihood.  Those disciples toiled together using nets to bring in fish to sell at the market.  Jesus used Peter’s boat as a platform to teach a multitude.  He then told the disciples to launch out into the deep for another attempt.  They obeyed and could hardly get two boats filled with fish to shore.  Then Jesus said to them, in Matthew 4:19: "…Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”.  The text then says they left their nets and followed Him.  Those disciples would now be spending their lives bringing people to the Savior.  The call to be fishers of men was not just for those early disciples.  It is a call for all of those who are followers of Jesus. 

How do we fish for men?  We must first go where the fish are.  People who need Jesus are everywhere.  They are our family members, our co-workers, our neighbors, and the people in our community groups.  We fish for men when we share the gospel with them.  We can also invite them to a place where the gospel is preached.  Maybe we can share our testimony with them or give them some gospel literature.  Making them aware of gospel-saturated podcasts and websites can also be a way to fish for men.

You may have never picked up a fishing rod in your life.  The smell of bait may be repulsive to you.  However, if you are a believer the command to be a fisher of men is for all of us.  Remember, if you are not fishing, you are not following.