I’m not much of a fisherman. Don’t have the skill, the patience or the stillness to do it well – that, and I feel too sorry for the fish. But I do believe it’s a skill Jesus would like me to learn, at least so far as the “fishing for people” part goes.
I tend to assume that in this story we’re the brothers being recruited along that seashore. But a great gift of gospel stories is that we can put ourselves into any of the characters and find deeper meaning. So we should try on the Jesus role as well. Because sooner or later, if a movement is to grow, the recruited must become recruiters. The time came when Peter and Andrew, James and John found themselves inviting other people into this band of Jesus followers.
What can we learn from Jesus’ technique as we seek to invite people into the life of faith? First of all, he showed up in their environments, at their place of work no less. He didn’t send a message from afar – he drew near, close enough to smell the fish, touch the nets, see real lives. He knew what he was asking them to walk away from. We need to know people "where they live" before we invite them to consider Jesus as Lord.
Secondly, he gave them a clear invitation: “Follow me.” So often we are muddy in our invitations. “Join us at church sometime” is not a specific, “I’d love for you to join me at church this Sunday – we have a visiting choir/preacher/are doing a great series on…..” Or invite someone to join you at a ministry of giving you’re involved in. And let's go beyond invitations to church “stuff” and get closer to the heart of the matter: “Would you like to take a walk and talk about spiritual things sometime? It’s such a big part of my life, and I have no idea about your spirituality.” Or, "Tell me one of your God stories." Who knows where that conversation might lead?
Third, Jesus made them a promise with his invitation: “I will show you how to fish for people.” He honored who they were and what they did, and offered continuity between their old lives and the unknown he was asking them to walk into with him. People are often excited about learning new things, and feel affirmed that you think they are worthy of being taught. That’s how leaders are made.
What did Jesus not do? He did not wheedle, cajole, arm-twist or try to manipulate them. He asked. They answered. They moved on together. Presumably he would have moved on if they’d said no too.
Jesus wasn’t always thrilled with the way these recruits followed orders or comprehended his teachings. But having chosen them, he was committed to them, and never gave up on them. It took a long time before they really demonstrated the leadership with which Jesus entrusted them. Look at Peter – he had to succeed and fail, step out in faith and sink in doubt, get who Jesus truly was and then miss the next cue, even deny his Lord three times and then repent – but in the end, he became that fisher of men still honored by the church over 2000 years later.
With a record like that, we shouldn’t feel too inadequate, right? Jesus is still inviting you and me, “Come, follow me. We have a world to heal.” You coming?
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