I’m not much of a fisherman. I lack the skill, the patience and 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.
We've looked at this story from the perspective of those being recruited along that seashore. Yet a great gift of gospel stories is that we can put ourselves into any character and find deeper meaning. What if we try on the Jesus rolel? Sooner or later, if a movement is to grow, the recruited become the recruiters. The time came when Peter and Andrew, James and John found themselves inviting other people to come and follow Jesus.
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, which was a way of honoring their lives. So we need to know people before we invite them to meet Jesus as Lord.
Secondly, he gave them a clear invitation: “Follow me.” We can be muddy in our invitations. “Try my church sometime” is not as specific as, “I’d love you to join me at church this Sunday – we have a visiting preacher/are doing a great series on…..” Or invite someone to join you in an outreach ministry you’re involved in. And might we consider going beyond invitations to church and get closer to the heart of the matter, introducing spiritual life into our conversations with the people we meet, where there is an opening? Who knows where the conversation might go as we talk about our own spirituality and leave room to hear about theirs.
Third, Jesus made them a promise with his invitation: “I will show you how to fish for people.” That 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.
And what did Jesus not do? He did not wheedle, cajole, arm-twist, or try to manipulate them. He invited. They answered. They moved on. 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 knowing Jesus three times and then repent. But in the end, he became that fisher of people still honored by the church over 2000 years later. With a record like that, we shouldn’t feel too inadequate. Jesus is still inviting us, “Come, follow me. We have a world to make whole.” You coming?
© Kate Heichler, 2024. To receive Water Daily by email each morning, subscribe here. Here are the bible readings for Sunday. Water Daily is also a podcast – subscribe to it here on Apple, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.
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