”19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19
I love fishing.
As a kid, I used to ride my dift bike to secret fishing holes where I would catch 15 rainbow trouts, my daily quota, and on good days, I’d also catch my dad’s quota as well.
You see, my parents worked as park rangers (gate keepers) at a state preserve, and my summer job was to clean out canoes and row boats every morning.
In my free time, I earned more money by fishing. My dad would pay me for the fish I cought, so he could give them away to folks who had a bad day on the water, and didn’t catch anything on their own.
I built my own worm farm, and sold worms.
I was about 10 years old when I started my fishing business, and I kept it going until I left for the Canadian Armed Forces when I was 17 years old.
I even have a fishing rod in my living room… 🙂
So, now that you’re warmed up for this week’s topic, fishing, let’s dive right into it, shall we?
I want to share a powerful metaphor that Jesus himself used to describe our mission as followers of Christ.
We are called to be fishers of men, casting the net of God’s love and grace to bring others into the abundant life found in Jesus.
As we dive into this concept, let us open our hearts and minds to the transformational power of this calling.
Understanding What Jesus Said
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This simple yet profound analogy reveals that our purpose is not limited to personal salvation, but extends to leading others to salvation in Christ.
Just as skilled fishermen understand the habits and needs of fish, we are called to understand the hearts and needs of those around us.
It is our responsibility to seek out the lost, the broken, and the hurting, and to introduce them to the love and redemption found in Jesus.
To become effective fishers of men, we must first prepare our nets: Ourselves.
We do this by deepening our relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and embracing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It is essential to cleanse our hearts of selfish motives and to align our desires with God’s will. Our nets must be free from pride, judgment, and condemnation so that we can approach others with humility, compassion, and love.
Casting our nets requires intentionality and courage.
We must step out of our comfort zones, engage with people from all walks of life, and build meaningful relationships.
Just as fishermen patiently wait and persevere, we must be patient with those we encounter, respecting their individual journeys.
Our actions and words should consistently reflect the love and grace of Jesus, drawing others closer to Him.
After The Catch
When we catch fish, we do not leave them floundering in the net.
Similarly, when we lead others to Christ, our responsibility does not end there. We are called to disciple and nurture new believers, helping them grow in their faith and empowering them to become fishers of men themselves.
Through teaching, mentoring, and showing genuine care, we guide them on their spiritual journey, equipping them to reach others for Christ.
As Christians, we are not called to live in isolation, content with our own salvation. We are called to cast our nets wide and bring others into the loving embrace of Jesus Christ.
By embracing our role as fishers of men, we participate in the redemptive work of God, transforming lives and communities.
May we be bold and intentional in our efforts, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.
Let us embrace the call to be fishers of men, knowing that in doing so, we become vessels of God’s love and instruments of His grace in a broken world.
Were you able to glean and grow from this message so God can be further glorified and His Kingdom magnified? If so, I would love to hear from you. Follow this link to get in touch… Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your presence in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom bestowed upon Matthew,
And we ask you Lord to help us find joy in your perfect plan.
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through your Word, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by the truth as we spread the good news to one and all,
And lead the lost to You.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us,
To bless our lives and fill us with hope.
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and our place with you in Heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done, here on Earth and through the vast Universe,
May our hearts be filled with your everlasting love and grace.
Praises to You God, Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
