My husband loves to fish. Several times each year, he heads out with his fishing buddy for several days of adventure on the lakes. He comes home sore and exhausted but contented. His sunburned face lights up as he recounts the fish tales to me. I would venture to say fishing is one of his happy places.
Because my husband fishes, it helps me relate to the fishermen of the Bible who later became some of Christ’s disciples. Fishing was their profession, but I think they also enjoyed the call of the water. They fished with friends and helped out each other when the nets became overloaded. They shared life on the water.
John 21:3 (NIV) “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”
After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples are in hiding. Peter announces that he is going fishing. Peter wanted to return to the comfortable, and his friend went with him. I imagine they are sad and tired after a night of unsuccessful fishing. All the events of the previous weeks probably are weighing on their souls. What did the future hold for them?
It is in that moment that Jesus calls out to them. From the shore, He tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. Unaware of who this person was, they obeyed anyway. The caught a significant amount of fish. They quickly realized it was Christ on the shore and everything started to make sense for them as they ate breakfast together.
Matthew 13:47 (NIV) “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.”
I find it so interesting that the disciples listened to this voice to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. I think they were ready to give up and go home, but they tried it anyway. I would have thought the man was crazy and ignored him. Many times, God calls us to action even when life feels overwhelming. Can we respond in faith to God’s direction even at the low point in our lives?
The disciples obeyed. They reaped the rewards of their faithfulness with a net full of fish. They also got to sit down and enjoy breakfast with Jesus. For me, this story demonstrates how Christ calls to each of us. Many things in our world will crowd out the voice of Christ. If we are faithful to follow, despite how we feel in the moment, then we too will reap a reward. Christ’s call will never be convenient or make sense to the world. But the results of following the call might be enormous.
Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Blessings,
Yvonne – blogger, speaker, and author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Amen. God calls us and we should listen to His direction. He has already equipped us with the skills to do what He needs us to do. 🙂
Thank you
Very encouraging, Yvonne! It’s easy in life to get overwhelmed when what you are doing seems to not succeed – just like the disciples fishing all night. The only way to success is when Jesus is in our calling with us. He’s the only One who produces the fruit. Like the disciples, we just need to listen to His voice, even when it might not make any sense at the time. God always sees the bigger picture.
Thank you
My favorite part: “I find it so interesting that the disciples listened to this voice to throw their nets on the other side of the boat.” I love that they didn’t give up. Great words of encouragement. God bless!
Thank you
Hello Yvonne
I have some really great memories of fishing. My grandfather was a mad fisherman and my father took me many times.
Isn’t it amazing that God chose to come down to our level in Christ? He didn’t melt rocks and tare down mountains, He simply met us where we were – fisherman, tax collectors and so on.
A very comforting post Yvonne
Thank you.
Thank you
What a great reminder to listen to Christ, even when it doesn’t make sense by the world’s standards. I have to constantly remind myself that God works upside down according to the world, but I will never be at peace until I listen to Him and block out the lies of this world!
Thank you
Love this! I so easily convince myself that I’m not hearing God’s voice… I’m learning to quiet my thoughts and remember what that voice sounds like. Love your imagery and needed this reminder!
Thank you
*Sigh* Yet another reminder that God requires my obedience above all else. Definitely needed to hear this right now. (Logs off Internet)
Thank you
Well, I’m going fishing now too, Yvonne. 🙂 Seriously, great article. The last paragraph is so powerful and the last few lines. “Christ’s call will never be convenient or make sense to the world. But the results of following the call might be enormous.”
Thank you
Hi Yvonne!
Thank you for sharing this with us. My husband and I also fish sometimes here in Greenland. We like to be out in nature. It was interesting to read your reflections on how Jesus called the disciples.
God bless!
Edna Davidsen.
Thanks Edna
You are welcome!
Responding with faith and obedience when I am at a low point… that’s a high calling! I am quick to get cynical. I think if some stranger said that to me, I’d be like “Whatever, dude.”
I’m guessing something in their inner being was sensitive to the person and power behind the voice. Or maybe they were just desperate & figured, why not try? I’d like to think it was the former.
As a side note, I wish my husband was into fishing. I love fresh fish!