We be like fishermen!

Matthew 4:18-22

Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee’s sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father.

Food for thought!

It is interesting to note what kind of men Jesus called. They were not men of great scholarship, or influence, or wealth, or social background; the men Jesus called were not rich. They were not poor either; they were simple working people with no great background, and certainly, with no great future.

It was the ordinary men whom Jesus chose. What Jesus needs is ordinary folk who will give him themselves. He can do anything with people like that. Further these men were fishermen. Why did Jesus choose fishermen?

(i) A fisherman has patience. He must learn to wait patiently until the fish will take the bait. If one is restless or quick to move he cannot catch any fish. As good fishers of men they will need to have patience. We must learn to wait; we must learn patience.

Patience is that powerful attitude of mind that is often characterized by poise, serenity, inner calmness, and quiet endurance — especially in the face of trying or upsetting conditions. The gift of patience has its foundation in faith. “Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue.” (James 1:3).

(ii) A fisherman has perseverance. He must learn never to be discouraged, but always to try again; he must not be discouraged when nothing seems to happen. He must always be ready to try again.

(iii) A fisherman has courage. He must be ready to risk and to face the fury of the sea and of the gale. Whatever you do in life, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a fisherman needs.

As we know, the world’s best work, or at least the work of many of the world’s great men, has been done in the midst of opposition, in the very teeth of criticism, in spite of discouragement.

(iv) A fisherman has an eye for the right moment. The wise fisherman knows well when to act; he knows when to cast and when not to cast. The good fisherman chooses his moment.

(v) The wise fisherman keeps himself out of sight. If he shows his own presence, even his own shadow, the fish will certainly not bite. His aim is to fix men's eyes, not on himself, but on that figure beyond. Christ!