Fishers of Men

How many of you like to go fishing?  Fishing was something that I liked to do and I still would if I had someone to help me put on the lures because I have a tremor and it would be very hard for me to accomplish this task because my hands shake so badly.  I guess it was just getting out and relaxing and also the thought of the next fish and how big it would be and the surprise factor that I liked.  You might say it was the rush I would get when I had a big bass or pike on my hook or whatever other kind of fish I was able to land even if I didn’t keep it in the end.  If you ever went fishing, you know that it takes a lot of patience, wisdom, knowledge, timing and fishing skills.  The pros know what kind of bait to use, where the best fishing spots are and even the right colors on the lures to use and also the right kind of bait to use at any particular time of day or night.  This ‘Tidbit’ is about fishing but a different kind of fishing; it is about fishing for men who need these kinds of skills also but most of all the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

When Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two men fishing with nets, their names were Simon called Peter and his brother called Andrew and he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” and they straightway left their nets and followed Him, you can read this in Matthew 4:18-20.  Then going on from there, Jesus saw two other brothers with their father mending their nets, their names were James and John the sons of Zebedee and He called them and they immediately left the ship and their father and followed Jesus.  If you would like read about that it is in the same chapter verses 21-22.  

Catching men was far more important to Jesus than catching fish, although to some it was their lively hood and Jesus wasn’t criticizing that.  This probably wasn’t the first time that these men had heard about Jesus but now they were ready to leave everything and follow Him when He called them.  It seems these men didn’t ask any questions, they were ready and they left what they were doing and followed Jesus.  Out of all the men that Jesus could have chosen, why did He pick these men?  These men had no education, they were just ordinary men.  Why didn’t Jesus pick the elite, the scholars of the day, men of high standing with degrees for all kinds of learning, skillful men that were orators and famous among the people, not just stinky fishermen?  It is because Jesus doesn’t called the equipped but He equips the called.

Please read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”    

Jesus knew the kind of people these men were but He also knew the kind of people they would become if they followed him and believed His message and accepted it by faith; they would be completely changed. Please read 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Why did Jesus come?  He came to give His life a ransom for all who would put their trust in Him.  He didn’t come to make bad people good, He came to make dead people live.  He also did many other things while He walked the earth like; healing the sick, casting out demons and setting people free along with feeding the hungry, giving sight to the blind both physically and spiritually and even raising the dead back to life also, both physically and spiritually.  He also taught and healed the lame and cleansed people of leprosy.  And He made disciples out of men and sent the Holy Spirit to empower and baptize those that followed Him.  

Why did Jesus want to make these men fishers of men?  Because they would be leaders in the church that would be called His body that would be started on the day of Pentecost.  These men, along with others, would be His witnesses to preach the good news after Jesus’ crucifixion. They all had their problems and they all betrayed the Lord in their own way by deserting Him while He hung on the cross for their sins and the sins of the world.  The thing that strikes me is that Jesus knew they would and He still chose them and loved them.  He loved them enough to die a terrible death for them and in the end they loved Him enough to die a terrible death for Him.  

What about you and I, do we love Him enough to take up our cross and deny ourselves and follow Him daily?  We may never be called to die for Him physically but we are called to die to ourselves daily, are we doing that?  I don’t know about you but I know that I am guilty of not dying to myself daily, something I need to repent of, what about you?  I have given you something to think about and take very seriously and I hope you will.  My prayer is that this Tidbit was helpful and your heart was stirred because of it, and if need be, you will repent also.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!