My friend Sydney loves fishing. He is not a fisherman, but goes fishing because he enjoys it. He has been pestering me for years to go with him, but I have never been able to go.
He recently arranged a fishing trip to Durban, and invited me again. Fortunately, I was able to accompany him this time. He also invited a few other friends, and we went as a group.
As I watched the men fishing, I was puzzled by the words of Jesus to Peter and Andrew. Then He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19 NKJV).
I have heard many sermons and read many books and articles about what it means to be fishers of men. Many of them talk about having the right equipment, the right bait, and finding the right spot. However, as I watched those men, I realised that fishing can be a very disempowering activity.
You must be extremely patient and hopeful. I saw the men stand there for hours without catching anything. Sydney told me that sometimes they spend the whole night there and still catch nothing. I remembered the incident of Peter and the other disciples who spent the night fishing but caught nothing.
Although skilled fishermen may have a good estimation of where, when and how to fish, they cannot always be sure of a good catch. You throw in your line and sit back. You dont know if there are any fish, if they are big or small, if they like your bait or not. I realised that the fisherman has no control over what happens after he throws in His line or nets. It dawned on me that Jesus understood fishing. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus is the one who determines whether you catch anything or not. He is the one who makes you a fisherman. We must understand the words of Jesus from Peters perspective.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. Simon answered, Master, weve worked hard all night and havent caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. (Luke 5:4-6 emphasis mine).
In another incident, Jesus sent Peter to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax. But so that we may not cause offence, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours. (Matthew 17:27)
Peter knew that Jesus was the real fisherman and that he himself was just a participant. Jesus knew where the fish were. After His resurrection, there was one more fishing lesson for Peter before he really became a fisher of men.
He said, Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.(John 21:6). The number one lesson about fishing that Peter learned was that Jesus is the Fisherman.
Fishing for men
Soon after the New Testament church had started, Peter was sent by Jesus to Cornelius, who was ready to receive the gospel. In fact, when Peter got there, Cornelius started speaking in tongues even before he was baptised (Acts 10). Fishing for men had started, but Peter was not in control. Jesus was still telling him where to throw the nets.
John tells us that No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44). God draws men to Himself. But He cannot draw them if we are not throwing out the fishing line or the fishing nets. To be fishers of men, we must be obedient in throwing the nets, and sitting back for the fisherman, Jesus, to draw the fish into His nets.
Paul also understood that we are workers in Gods field: I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour. For we are co-workers in Gods service; you are Gods field, Gods building. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).
We cannot be fishers of men apart from Jesus. He makes the fish bite. We must be patient and hopeful, and we must keep throwing the lines out. He is the Fisherman. Forget about Jesus the carpenter. Follow Jesus, the Fisherman! Happy fishing!