Fishers of Men

Matthew 4:12-23

Today’s meditation is from the Gospel reading of last Sunday’s Lectionary readings.

Fishing is a pastime that many people take part in.  It can be quite relaxing, and also gets one outside and into nature.  In verse 19, the Lord Jesus compared fishing with witnessing, telling the Gospel, and bringing others to salvation.

There are many different ways to fish.  One can fish with a rod and reel, sitting on the edge of the water or in a rowboat.  Then there is fly fishing, where one dons waders and wades out into the river.  Ice fishing is in mid-winter, cutting a hole in the ice of a lake, and sitting by the hole fishing.  Professional fishermen are out on the open seas.  Fishermen use different means - hooks, lures, bait, nets.  Some people around the world still spearfish.   Each is a different way of fishing, but none is better than the other.  It depends on what type of fish you are after, what one’s certain skills are, where you live, etc.

Likewise, there are different ways to be fishers of men.  Like fishing, none is inherently better than the other.  It depends on the audience or person one is trying to reach, and also on one’s gifts or abilities.  There are some who are gifted in public speaking, and as preachers and evangelists, spread the Gospel.  Others are better talking to people one on one.  Some people have a gift for music, and can spread the Gospel in song, either writing, singing, or playing an instrument.  Others can write, and spread God’s Word that way.  I knew some people who gave a silent witness by passing out tracts wherever they went.  Everyone can pray for the lost.

Just as no one can catch any fish if they don’t go fishing, no one can win someone for Christ if they don’t give a witness.  Jesus made the statement that we are to be fisher’s of men.  If He tells us to do that , then He will give us one or another ability to proclaim the Gospel.  Let’s be fishers of men for the Lord!