FOLLOWING AND FISHING

FOLLOWING AND FISHING

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. —Matthew 4:19

            Jesus told those early followers of His that He would make them “fishers of men.”   Followers of Jesus are to be fishers of men. But what does that mean? Well, Jesus took something they were familiar with— fishing for fish— to convey this truth that they would now fish for men. So, what does it mean to fish for men? To fish for fish there needs to be some knowledge of how to fish for fish.   You need to be equipped. You need to go to the environment where the fish are.   You could fish off shore or from a boat.   You could use a net or a line. If using a net you need the practice in casting a net and someone would show you how to cast a net. If using a line you would be shown how to rig the line and cast the line as well. You would also learn when and how to pull the net or line in and once you catch fish you would be shown how to clean them.

            So do you know how to fish for men? You need to be equipped. What is the best way to be equipped? Connect with a season fisher of men and learn from that season fisher of men. Then regularly go to an environment where people are. It could be relatives, friends, acquaintances or people that you don’t know. To fish for men you need to go to their environment.   Don’t expect them to just jump into your boat/local church. When you are in their environment then you need to cast your net or line—- sharing the gospel with a group or an individual. But remember, just as a fish needs to be clean when it is caught so a person needs to be discipled when they “call on the Name of the Lord” to be saved (Romans 10:13).

            Here is the promise stated in the above verse… “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you fishing for men? He did say that if we follow Him then He would make us “fishers of men.” Are you being faithful in this area? Then after the “catch” we need to make disciples.   Are you being faithful in this area?   May you be so!

Dear Father as I go to the place where lost people are please help me to cast the net or line and trust You for the results. Just as in fishing for fish I cannot make the fish bite, so also I cannot change anybody, but I can bring the gospel to them and trust You for the rest. May I be faithful in fishing for men in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus! So be it!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mflekg7ieX0