This one of my treasured possessions. It’s an early picture of my dad and his catch. Like most farmers, when there was time, the only hobby he had was hunting & fishing. I still have dad’s old tackle box with  his lures and a small bottle of iodine (for young readers, this was the standard antiseptic for cuts & punctures). Hunting & fishing was not just for sport but to put meat on the table. I wish I knew the story that goes with this picture.

This picture comes to mind when I think about Jesus recruiting fisherman to be His disciples. Just ordinary men, providing for their families. Good fishermen think like fish. They go where the fish go…they know what fish like…they make themselves attractive to the fish…and they catch fish. Good fishermen are quietly confident and patient. The fishermen I admire are not the ones with the fast boats & expensive equipment, but the ones who sit on a bucket, fishing from the shore, using a cane pole. They are there to catch fish, not something to brag about. They catch fish.

Jesus was the Master Fisherman. Ponder Matthew 4:18. “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Jesus knew exactly who & what he was looking for. Men who would relentlessly fish for men. On the day of Pentecost, Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, stood before a crowd, and spoke…” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:40. People were hungry for the Good News. Peter was that fisherman sitting on a bucket, with a cane pole. It was the Holy Spirit that worked through this ordinary man.

Today is just such a time. If you are a Follower of Christ, it’s time to fish. You don’t need expensive equipment or a Seminary degree. All you need is The Holy Spirit, your story of how Jesus has transformed your life and a passion for people. In my lifetime I have never seen a more hurting, fearful people…hungry people that are searching for hope. People recognize the world’s way is a facade of lies and phony promises. What were once landmark anchor points in people’s lives have failed and disappeared. Only God has stood the test of time. Only He is the Promise Keeper. God’s love is true & deep. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16,17. Only in God’s Mighty Hand are you safe & secure. Jesus is the One & Only Hope. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

And one day all the “Fishermen For Christ will experience the return of Jesus. I love how God describes the day when all His Fisherman gather…” And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He (Jesus) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Praise God.

Friends, it’s time to fish.