Let’s Fish Already!

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19b)

In the year 2014, three men were standing by the shore, deep in discussion. They could be heard arguing over the matter of fishing. One man debated whether it was better to fish in deep waters or in shallow ones; another wrangled over the best time of day to catch fish; and the third man carried on about the correct bait one should use. For the better part of the day, countless distinctions were deliberated by these men, each intent on having his position heard. However, no one made any real progress convincing the others. On and on they went, but curiously, they never got around to catching any fish.

Almost two thousand years ago, Jesus stood on the beach at the Sea of Galilee talking with His disciples. “So Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you do not have any fish, do you?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.’ So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.” (John 21:5-6) So they cast! How’d that work out for them?

Jesus desires to reach the lost and we have been invited to participate. We don’t need to have all the answers, we just need to cast the net. He’ll make sure it doesn’t come back empty. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” (Mark 16:15)

I hope this encourages you to fish today.