Just Stocked

I love going fishing in the spring with my son at this little pond near my home.  Each spring this pond is stocked with a bunch of little rainbow trout.   We can run over to the pond in the afternoon and many times we catch our small limit of three fish each in no time.  It is fun easy fast action fishing, and then we enjoy eating our fresh catch together.   Sometimes,  We wish fishing was always this easy, these young trout are hungry and lost, so it is really just about getting the hook in front of them.

As a hobby fisherman I enjoy when Jesus talks about fishing, and challenges the disciples to be fishers of men.   It is great that fishing is a sport passed down from father to son, most of the time.  I also love how contagious fishing becomes when you are with a great fisherman.  I have a friend, a music teacher by trade but he is a truly gifted fisherman.  You cannot spend an afternoon fishing with this guy and not have the time of your life.  When he is catching fish it is like being with a child on Christmas morning.   His energy pulls you in and drives you to keep your line in the water, knowing any minute you will be able to share his joy, and catch some fish.

Is this what Jesus was thinking when he challenged his disciples, the fact that this occupation was passed down from father to son.  Or was it the joy of pulling nets up from the unknown full of fish.   Maybe he also realizes how frustrating fishing could become when you are not able to get on the water due to weather.  I would think he even knew how a great day to be out on the water can be ruined when you cannot find fish. 

Luke 5:4-9 (New Living Translation)

⁴ 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.”

⁵ “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.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.

But This is not Fishing with Jesus

Jesus filled the nets with fish for Peter, and Peter was astonished as I would be too.    Jesus shows Peter what He can do with fish then calls Peter to do the same thing with people.  It is interesting that Jesus used ideas like this; his ideas at the same time could be incredibly simple and yet incredibly amazing.   Read this and really listen to the words.

Matthew 9:36-38 (New International Version)

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

As I was beginning to get excited about fishing in this little stocked pond, this passage you just read popped into my mind fresh and new.  Earlier I told you how easy it was to catch these fish, because they were lost.  This is the reality of the world surrounding followers of Jesus; we build up great evangelical strategies and programs.  Sometimes I wonder if these just distract of from the harvest.   But, Jesus is telling us to get the nets in the water there are lost people  all around us.  Be Fishers of men!

So if Jesus is telling us the truth, we should expect that the world around us is teaming with people ready to be harvested into a life with Him.  We just need to cast our nets, by sharing our stories and God’s Truth.  Good Fishing!