Fishing with Dad, Tips Part 2

And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matt 4:19

Our responsibility is to follow, and Jesus will make us fruitful. I used to go fishing with my dad, and besides slipping on the rocks and falling in the river I also managed to catch fish. Fishing is instinctive to a pelican, but not to little boys, so I had to learn. My dad told me to watch the water for movement and look for secret places where fish gathered so I could cast my line there. If I did what he told me and used the right bait then we usually caught fish.

The same is true with evangelism. Jesus first makes us aware that there are fish to be caught – a daunting task in the modern church. He next lets us know that if we follow Him where He is going then He will teach us the art of reaching people along the way.

For Jesus fishing for men was not a pastime; it was and is His primary goal because, well…He said it was.

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10

A great purchase was made at Calvary, and Jesus is going after what He purchased in much the same way we would pursue what we paid for if someone failed to deliver; much more so with Jesus.

“… Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Rev 5:9

If Jesus paid the ultimate price then this must be His ultimate goal. Some would ask, “So, where then is the emphasis on growing in Christ?” To that I would say that we really get to know our fathers when we are fishing with them. 1st Jn 2:12-14

Check out Pastor Joey’s blog in my Links for great insight on discipleship.

Last thoughts:

• My dad never suggested that we divert the river into our house so that the fish
  could swim into the kitchen, much too expensive and reserved for professionals.
• Fish rarely leave the water, and almost never jump into the bucket. We have to go to the water.

Dad had common sense, and so should I. Following Jesus is the first step, and being aware of the lost around us is the second. We need to concentrate to look for movement in the water. Part 3 will be next: “How to speak fish … the forgotten language.”