NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

FISHING FOR PEOPLE (MARK 1:16-34)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is fishing for people. Fishing is the activity of catching fish, either for food or as a sport. Some of the disciples of Jesus were in the business of fishing for food and as a source of livelihood when Jesus called them into the mission or business of fishing for people. They moved from catching fish for food and business to catching people for their own salvation and the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus found some of His disciples who were fisherfolk useful for the ministry of fishing for lost souls. We are told that “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:16-18). The disciples positively and willingly responded to the call to fish for people rather than remain in the business of catching fish. They saw themselves as ordinary fishermen who have received an extraordinary calling and elevation to fish for a more valuable entity, created in the image and likeness of God but for sin, has been lost in the sea of sin. It is important to note that to be a successful fisherman, one needs special skills, training and experience. Moreso, fishing for people was going to be more challenging and therefore required the guidance and discipleship of Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to be successful.

In fishing for the lost, Jesus is the chief fisherman and the owner of the fishing boat and we believers are his co-fishermen. The church is the boat from which we shall operate on the sea. The sea represents the sinful world from which we shall be fishing for people. Our net is the Good News or the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the fish are people who are lost and dying in the sea of sin. Anytime we proclaim Christ to the world or spread the Good News, we cast the net of salvation into the sea of darkness and sin for people to be saved. It is important to note that we do not have the power to catch the fish on our own, the Holy Spirit will enable us to have a catch or a bountiful harvest. It is for this reason, Jesus said to the disciples after He had trained them and was ascending to Heaven, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Dear friends in the Lord, if only we don’t give up but continue fishing with love, unity of purpose, faith, prayer and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will continue to empower us to fish for people. Jesus has equipped us with a fish boat (the church), net (the Gospel) and Power (the Holy Spirit), It is now our turn to make ourselves available by responding to the call to fish for people. We must follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ to cast the net of salvation for the redemption of all who will accept Him as Lord and Saviour in the sea of sin and darkness. We have no excuse, for we have also been saved by grace through faith in Christ and must obey the great commission to fish for people when Jesus said ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Fishing for people is at the core of our calling and stewardship responsibility as disciples of Jesus Christ. Fishing for people is also known as stewardship of the Gospel. It requires our time, body, money and wealth. The disciples became fishers of people because they responded to Jesus’ call and invitation by dedicating their time, body and entire lives to serve Him. Fishing for people became their vocation. It is for this reason some people are called into full-time ministry. Again, others were not at the forefront of casting the net or fishing for people but they played an important and indispensable role in supporting Jesus and the disciples with logistics, money, shelter and food. We are told in Luke 8:1-3 that “Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” There are many examples of people who hosted Jesus and His disciples to refresh and shelter them in appreciation of their missionary activities. Beloved in the Lord, how often do you support your pastor, evangelist and those who continue to dedicate their time, body and live to fish for people in your congregation or church? Because others have been blessed abundantly and called to cater for the needs of those who are actively involved in fishing for people, Jesus said to the disciples “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals, and do not greet anyone on the road. (Luke 10:2-4). Those who are fishing for people such as pastors, evangelists and full-time ministers of the Gospel must not worry about what to eat, drink, wear or where to sleep, their business is to preach the Gospel and teach the Word wherever they find themselves, the Lord will provide their needs through believers He has saved and blessed with wealth and material possessions. Beloved in the Lord, it is our calling to identify the needs of those fishing for people and ensure that their needs are met. Some of the essential tools and logistics needed for fishing for people in the 21st Century are smartphones, data, a car or motorbike for mobility and a public address system. Again, the full-time fisherfolk or anyone who has dedicated his or her life to fishing for people and caring for God’s people must be assured of good shelter for his or her family and good remuneration to cater for his or her family. “The elders (pastor, evangelist, catechist) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Dear friend in the Lord, how well do you personally contribute to the welfare of your pastor and those who are into the business of fishing for people in your church? These are people who day and night must provide leadership in the Church and at the same time continue to preach or teach God’s people even as they cast the net of the Gospel to fish for more people outside the walls of the church. Is the Church conscious of the fair wages, conditions of service, health and retirement benefits Church agents? Some churches are doing well in taking care of their fisherfolks or those called to preach the Gospels but others have left them to their fate.

It is important to note that, the salvation of people and the joy of serving the Lord must be our main purpose of responding to the call to fish for people. Some also look for material things and gains as the sole motivation for serving Jesus as a fisherfolk of people. When our focus is only on the gains and not the mission, we shall be frustrated on the way and give up, but when we are dedicated or focused on our calling to fish for people regardless of the challenges, “… God will meet all our needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19-20). Indeed “The one who calls us is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Fishing for people” We have discovered that we have been saved and called into the business and ministry of fishing for people who are lost or dying in the sea of sin. Like the disciples who responded to Jesus’ call to fish for people, we are required to whole-hearted and faithfully respond to our call and the great commission to fish for people.

PRAYER

Almighty God, give us the confidence and strength as fishermen and women of the Church of Christ, who are ever ready to go fishing for lost souls. May you shield us from the storms of impediments on the sea so that through the power of the Holy Spirit we may always come home with a bountiful harvest of souls. Amen