Tag: FishersOfMen

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The Rest is His-Story!

The purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth had been accomplished!

He showed the love of the Father to the world. He preached, did miracles, countered evil, healed the brokenhearted and broke the power of sin. It was finished.

The sinless, perfect Lamb had been sacrificed for the sins of the world and now there was only one more thing to do.

The rest is His-story.

“15 Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. 16 But they did not know who he was. 17 Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along? The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. 18 Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”” Luke 24:15-17 CEV

Two men walking the road to home had been discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem and Jesus came near. He walked and talked with them for about seven miles the Bible says.

“22 Some women in our group surprised us. They had gone to the tomb early in the morning, 23 but did not find the body of Jesus. They came back, saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some men from our group went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus either.” vs.22-24

They were in a quandary. What had happened to Jesus? If He was alive, where was He?

“…30 After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. 31 At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared. 32 They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?” 33 So they got up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. 34 And they learned from the group that the Lord was really alive and had appeared to Peter.” vs. 30-34

They had probably been there when Jesus multiplied the boy’s lunch of loaves and fishes. There was something familiar about His ways and when He broke the bread and blessed it, they knew it was Him!

I am always taken back by the way Jesus personalizes Himself when He ministers to people. He brings the divine presence of God into the routine of daily life. When He first met Peter, James and John on the shores of the Sea of Galilee He helped them catch a boat-sinking load of fish and called them to be “fishers” of men. In His first miracle He provided wine for a wedding. Now, at the tomb He simply said Mary’s name and then He prayed over some bread and broke it. But each time His actions revealed the power of God.

He still comes in simple ways to touch and change our lives.

“46 He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. 47 They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, 48 you must tell everything that has happened.” Luke 24:46-48 CEV

His-Story must be told and He’s asking us to tell it!

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Child’s Play

I’ve been telling you for weeks how much rain we’ve been getting here in the mountains. Everything is very green and lush. It’s beautiful and now we are starting to see ponds where there have been none, not for a very long time.

A few of those are appearing in the campground, in the campsites. The ground has become so saturated with the rainwater that it’s not soaking in as quickly as it used too. One such pond is at the entrance, across from our check-in station.

We camp hosts were joking that the pond was big enough to stock with fish – or at least crawdads and tadpoles. So…Friday, when Dave and I went to town I bought 3 rubber ducks and 5 bathtub fish. When we came home, I put them in the pond. Saturday morning two of my favorite little campers came down to say good morning and spotted our newest “floating” camper residents. Since they were in their rain boots their mom and dad let them play and splash in the puddle.

New idea!

I drove to the marina and bought a small fishing pole, affixed a magnet to the end of the line, and secured something metallic to the back of each fish and duck. Now, we had a fishing hole for the littles. That evening my two friends came back on their evening walk, with their parents and grandparents, and they got to be the first to catch a big one.

They were so patient.

Believe it or not, it took some skill to get one of those rubber toys to the bank. They were so happy, and content. For about the next 20-30 minutes they took turns fishing and landing their catch.

Now you fisherman know that patience is as much an essential requirement as a good pole and the proper bait.

The same holds true spiritually.

“As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” 20 Right away, they left their nets and followed him. 21 Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and 22 immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people.” Matthew 4:18-23 CEB

Jesus was patient and loving as He ministered to people. He didn’t demand to be followed, He invited people to join him. He built relationship by attending to their needs; He healed those who were sick and brought them good news! He showed them compassion and understanding.

We have also been called to be fishers of men. We do that by building relationship, showing love, being genuine. We shouldn’t get discouraged or give up.

There’s much to be learn from what some would call child’s play. The message of Jesus is good news and we should share it with joyful hearts and patience.

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Following His Lead

In a parade or a race there is only one leader. A train is pulled by an engine, not a freight car. So in our walk with Christ, we need to determine our source of power and strength and let HIM lead. Just like the rich young ruler, we won’t be really following unless we are willing to give all and go for it!

“Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.” 22 When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich.

23 Jesus said to his disciples, “It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! 24 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?”

26 Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.” Matthew 19:21-26 ERV

Now look at Jesus instruction to his disciples on the pull of riches. Jesus wasn’t saying that you can’t have money or riches and be a dedicated Christian. These were successful businessmen that Jesus was talking too. Peter and Andrew had a fleet of fishing boats; James and John were the CEO and COO of their father’s fishing business and Matthew had been a director at the regional IRS office. Success ran through their veins so they were shocked when Jesus commented that it is hard for rich men to enter the kingdom.

Jesus quickly responded to their question and said that with God all things are possible. If a man is trusting in his riches, his trust is misplaced but when a rich man trusts God – all things are possible.

Peter reminds the Lord – we left everything to follow you. We just walked off the job and came with you. See there it is – the heart attitude. They weren’t seeking their own advancement any longer, they were following Jesus. They weren’t seeking their own success but they were advancing God’s kingdom. The difference between the disciples and the rich young ruler who had just left was an attitude of the heart.

Jesus went on to point out that although they had given up everything they had to follow him, they had gained eternal life and that they also would receive 100x as much as they had given. Didn’t Jesus promise that He came to give us life and life more abundantly?

Following Jesus is never a step down – that’s what the rich young ruler thought – but it is always a promotion in life, this one and the one we will share in eternity.

Again, today I ask you to check your heart. Follow the leader – Follow Jesus!

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Are You A Small Fry?

Do you understand the meaning of “small fry”?  It was reiterated to me yesterday morning.

Dave and I went out fishing first thing.  It was just after daybreak. The hatch of water bugs was in full harvest.  At first we thought we stepped into a swarm of mosquitos. No, not that. We were in a hatch of what appeared to be small dragon flies.

As they landed on the water’s surface the trout began to boil. It had been a long time since I had seen such a sight.  Everywhere there were ripples, the trout were coming to the surface to feed on the new hatch.

As we cast our bait we hoped there would be one or two trout that chose it over the freshly hatched bugs sitting on the surface of the water.

At shore’s edge, we observed the hunger of the small fry. Did you know that young fish are called fry? 

These little guys, less than 3 to 4 inches long, would come to the surface of the water to feed. Up they’d come, gulp, flip their tails and be gone. 

Does it shock you that I would think of a story in the Bible to relate to this adventure? 

Jesus met Peter, James, John and Andrew on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after they had had an unsuccessful night of fishing. 

“Master,” Simon answered, “we have worked hard all night long and have not caught a thing. But if you tell me to, I will let the nets down.” 6 They did it and caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. 7 Then they signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this happen, he knelt down in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t come near me! I am a sinner.” 9 Peter and everyone with him were completely surprised at all the fish they had caught. 10 His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised too. Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you will bring in people instead of fish.” Luke 5:5-10 CEV

This was a net breaking, almost boat sinking load. But what I find interesting is that nowhere is there any mention to the size of the fish. Surely, some of the fish were small fry.

This is so much like Jesus. 

He never makes a distinction between large or small, rich or poor, educated or plain. In fact, Paul says that the Lord uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

This should be so encouraging. 

If you feel like a small fish in a big pond guess what?  God knows you’re there. Are you a small fry?  Not to worry, God has jobs that only small fry can fill.  You won’t find a whale in a mountain lake.

Father, let us realize that you have a specific job for each one of your children. We don’t need to be envious of the bigger fish in the lake. You are willing to use those of us that are small fry!

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