Articles From Our Bulletins
Fishermen
More than any other specific occupation, Jesus chose fishermen to be His disciples and apostles, cf. John 21:2-3. Why, do you suppose? To my knowledge, the Text does not say beyond the estimation of the rulers, elders, and scribes that they were “uneducated and untrained men” in Acts 4:13. This perception is seemingly highlighted in contrast to the confidence they exhibited, and resulted in the unmistakable conclusion that they “had been with Jesus.” Had they a more professionally religious background, such a conclusion may not have been as obvious. Beyond this, and since the Text does not say, any definitive answer would be highly speculative. While I’ve never been to or fished in the Sea of Galilee, I have fished for as long as I can remember, and know a few things about fishermen in general. Perhaps they have some traits and habits that are, or at least can be, beneficial to fishing for men, cf. Matthew 4:19…
Fishermen are eternal optimists. Do you know why fishermen always come home late? It’s the O.M.C.S. (One More Cast Syndrome. Yeah, I made it up- but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true!). Those afflicted truly believe that “one more cast” in just the right spot with just the right bait presented in just the right way will be productive. I don’t know whether this optimism produces enthusiasm, or the other way around. And, it is highly likely that the effort of making the cast is more important than just the right bait, spot, or presentation. This enthusiastic optimism is vital to evangelism. Fishermen don’t count unproductive casts. If they did, they’d quit. Instead, they keep right on fishing even when they’ve made perhaps dozens of unsuccessful casts, thinking, believing, and hoping that the next one will yield the desired results. Paul and Barnabas were rejected and driven from the district of Pisidian Antioch, but “shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium,” cf. Acts 13:14,50-51. The lack of success at Antioch did not dampen their spirits to go to or impede their efforts at Iconium- they kept right on fishing! So, it doesn’t matter how many unsuccessful “casts” you’ve made in inviting others to study or worship with you. The next one might be to someone who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, cf. Matthew 5:6. Will you make the cast?
Fishermen are persistent. I’ve thrown the same lure into a specific spot in the water six or seven times believing a hungry fish was there. Sometimes there wasn’t, but oftentimes there was! But without those repeated opportunities, it would have never accepted my invitation, so to speak. Think about it: How many times do we see an advertisement- even for a product that we want, before we buy? And yet, we often give others “one cast” before writing them off as “uninterested.” In fishing for fish and for souls, what are “unproductive waters” on the first or second or third cast might not be so on the fourth or fifth. Some fish and people need multiple opportunities to get a good look at and consider carefully before committing themselves. Consider also that time and circumstances change spiritual appetites for people just as they do physically for fish! Just because a particular “spot” was unproductive yesterday, doesn’t mean it will be so tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. The Prodigal Son wasn’t interested in living with his father until time and circumstances had changed- and changed him, cf. Luke 15:11-24! Be persistent.
Fishermen will leave unproductive waters for a new “spot.” This may seem contradictory to the previous point. However, if I have provided many opportunities to fish in a particular spot, and have exhausted my tactics of changing the variables I can control without success, I move on to other waters. When Jesus sent out The Twelve in Matthew 10:1-14, He told them to “shake off the dust of your feet” when they encountered a household or city that “does not receive you, nor heed your words...” In other words, leave them behind and move on. While that may sound harsh, what we have to remember is that in evangelism, continuing to “fish” in unproductive waters deprives others. While it may take multiple opportunities for someone to respond favorably to the gospel, we can’t afford to extend unlimited opportunities to one finicky “fish” by depriving others who may indeed be eager to accept. The message of salvation was often rejected in one locale, only to be eagerly accepted in the next one. When people “repudiate” the gospel, and thus prove themselves “unworthy of eternal life,” we must, as did Paul and Barnabas, move on to fresh waters, cf. Acts 13:46,51.
Fishermen are willing to try new things, or change their approach. Note carefully the account in John 21:1-14. Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, and two other unnamed disciples had fished all night, but caught nothing. How demoralizing that is! Then, someone standing on the beach said, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.” Surely they might have thought, “Who does this guy think he is?” Or, “We’re professionals and have been doing this for years, and this guy standing on the beach is going to tell us how to fish?” Or even, “We’ve fished all night and caught nothing- there’s just no fish here to catch!” But generally, fishermen are not like that. If someone has a suggestion- even one as crazy as “Try the other side of the boat,” they’ll give it a try…. because above all else, they want to catch fish! When you’re catching little to nothing, pride and ego don’t generally stand in the way of potential success. Obviously, this illustration can be taken too far. When fishing for men, not every suggestion is good or should be tried, and there are rules by which we must abide, cf. 1Timothy 1:3-7; 2Timothy 4:1-5; 2Peter 2:18-19; et al. But even when properly using the gospel in the right way for the appropriate reasons, we can change our approach, and even “fish on the other side of the boat”!
There are probably very good reasons as to why the Lord picked mostly fishermen as His disciples and apostles. What I’ve written above may not include any of them. Still yet, there may be a few things that we can learn about fishing for men from fishermen.
- Fishermen.pdf (84.98 kB)
