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At the seaside, where I live, small nets attached to long, thin sticks are sold for children who want to see what they can “catch” at the water’s edge or in rockpools at low tide.Tiny fish, shrimps and crabs can be captured and examined and then - of course - released back into their watery home. But people have been fishing for food from time immemorial and together with the processing, distribution and selling it’s a worldwide industry today. Fish is good for you. Lots of delicious meals can be made. Although some kinds have become endangered, the Lord has provided many, many species for us to enjoy.
The first four men Jesus chose to be His disciples were fishermen. They went out in their boats on the Sea of Galilee (also called Lake Gennesaret or Lake Tiberias), to bring in fish to feed their friends and families. It was hard, physical work, sometimes in bad weather conditions. Nets and boats had to be kept clean and in good repair. Luke’s Gospel chapter 5 verses 1 to 11 tells how they were called by and responded to Jesus. He was sitting in Simon Peter’s boat, teaching the crowds on the shore, after which He told Simon and his brother to push the boat out to the deeper water and let down their nets. They had been fishing all night and caught nothing, so they were almost certainly reluctant to do this. But now, they caught so many fish that the nets were starting to tear! Their partners in a second boat, James and John, had to come and help them. Both boats were overflowing with fish and about to sink! Jesus said that from now on they would be “fishing for people” and helping them to become His followers too.
Three years later, after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, there is another happy fishing event, recorded by the disciple John in chapter 21 verses 3 to 13 of his Gospel. Simon Peter and some of the others prepared for a night’s fishing. They didn’t catch a thing! At sunrise, they had to give up. A man was standing on the beach; it was the risen Lord Jesus. They didn’t recognise Him just then as He spoke, but despondently said they had no fish. He told them “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat”. They did - and caught so many fish that it was too heavy to pull in! They all came ashore, dragging the net full of fish behind the boat. Then they recognised Jesus. He was making breakfast for them on a charcoal fire on the beach, and took some of their fresh fish and gave it to the disciples with some bread.
On both occasions the disciples obeyed the command of Jesus - and they were blessed with a huge haul of fish. The first time, the nets were beginning to tear; you could say that the love of the Lord was spilling out. His generosity and mercy are available to all who trust and obey Him. And when you follow Jesus you want to tell others to do the same! People should be “overflowing” with love for God and for their fellow human beings. After Jesus’ resurrection the net was heavy but didn’t break. When you “fish for men” there is enough room in the Kingdom of God for all. It’s never too full up to admit another believer in our Saviour. “Fishing” is, in fact, a symbol in the New Testament for the mission Christians have to take every opportunity to spread the Good News about Jesus to the world.
