Evangelism and Fishing

The first disciples Jesus called were fishermen. As Jesus always seemed to do, he told them what He would make them in terms they well understood.

"Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:17

Peter, Andrew, James and John did not use monofilament line or fancy colored hooks. They had no underwater fish radars for help in locating the catch. They threw out nets weighted with lead that would hit the water in a circular shape and then sink, trapping the fish below (if there happened to be any below). Then...they'd pull in the net hoping there was something edible or sell-able in it.

They understood fishing for fish. How about fishing for men? They had much to learn, but they already understood key concepts that were very transferable to fishing for men. They were:

• GO. These Galilean fishermen knew you have to go out into the water to catch fish. They did not stand on the shore waiting for the fish to come crawling or flopping up out of the water at their feet. So we have to go to where the "lost" fish of this world are. This is why Jesus' last and great command was, "Go...and make disciples" Matthew 28:19-20. Our homes and haunts can become fortresses from instead of launching pads for evangelism. Are we going?
• THROW. James and John were mending nets when Jesus called them. When they would launch out into the Sea of Galilee they would always take nets. Nets are how you catch fish. It took skill to cast a net, it took strength, and it probably took a certain amount of patience. But without a net, no fish. They're not going to jump into the boat of their own free will or be coaxed by testimonies of how great a fisherman you are or by promises that they are deeply loved by the Maker of Fish. You need a net. Our net is the GOSPEL. The gospel of sinful man under God's wrath, God providing a Savior in Jesus Christ, and a response commanded of repent and believe is the net that God sovereignly uses to fish successfully for men. But the gospel must be THROWN out. It must be shared. People need to hear it clearly, correctly, compellingly, and lovingly. My example may whet their appetite, but only the gospel will save. There is NO salvation apart from hearing the gospel. "How shall they believe in Him of whom they have never heard?" Romans 10:14
• PULL. Once the net settled the big fishermen would PULL it back into the boat to see what was for supper or sale. Remember the time when Peter and friends were fishing all night with no catch? Jesus told them to throw the net on the other side of the boat. I imagine there might have been some unbelieving fisherman eyes rolling in response to that command! But they knew enough about Jesus to obey. And, man oh man, or, fish oh fish! Did they get a haul!! Where did the fish come from? Jesus brought the fish!! Friends, when we obey and throw out the gospel to the lost, Jesus WILL call some into the gospel net. There WILL be a catch. There will be men and women, boys and girls who respond. WHO will respond? Those Jesus brings; those HE calls; those who, like Lydia (Acts 16:14) have their hearts opened to pay attention to the good news. And when folks respond, PULL them in. Share with them what it means to be a follower of Jesus and help them get off to a good start.

What is my responsibility? GO, THROW, PULL. It's the only way to be a fisher of men. It's the Jesus way.