Fishers of Men

Applying the character traits of fishermen to our Christian life.

As many of you know, I recently had the opportunity to travel to New Mexico to do a volleyball camp for a group of girls on a homeschool team and a nearby Christian school team. Each day after working to develop skills on the volleyball court, we wrapped up the camp with a lesson from God’s Word.

The LORD had given me the idea of using the character traits of fishermen – we are all called to be fishers of men, after all 😉 – and considering how those traits should show up in our lives as we witness to others, but also in our Christian lives in general. Over the next few weeks, I’d like to share an abbreviated version of those lessons. I believe if we can “get a hold of” these character traits, it will be life changing for all of us.

Matthew 4:18-22

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.*

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

We are all called to be fishers of men. So what can we learn from these experienced, commercial fishermen?

Notice Peter and Andrew “straightway” left their nets and followed Jesus. Then James and John “immediately” left the ship and followed Jesus. These four disciples were willing to leave everything that was familiar and comfortable, their security and livelihood, even their family and follow Jesus.

There is no evidence of hesitation. Just immediate obedience.

There is no evidence of questioning. Just immediate obedience.

There is no evidence of an internal struggle. Just immediate obedience.

If we have accepted Christ as our Savior, we have been called to be fishers of men. We have a responsibility to live a life that will draw others to Christ and be a witness for Him by sharing the Gospel.

So before we get into those character traits I mentioned earlier, we have to ask ourselves if we have followed Jesus with our whole hearts? Have we stepped out of our comfort zones, left all that was familiar behind, and truly followed Jesus? Or are we still having an internal struggle between wanting to follow Jesus, but also wanting to fit in with this world?

Becoming a fisher of men will require us to get a little uncomfortable, to live a life set apart for the LORD, and truly follow Him. Are you ready?

Read Part 2 here.