by Renae Richardson

Created on: July 31, 2009   Last Updated: August 01, 2009

Can you envision the avid fisherman summoning his strength to push his wood laden dinghy into vapid waters?

Can you see how he stirs about with great anticipation as he steers and commandeers his boat?

See him sitting on that lazy river with rod, line, and tackle staring out at the rippling blue green, teeming with life.

There he sits, waiting to make a catch. Beneath him a multitude of bass, trout, flounder, and perch swim by smelling the bait but avoiding the line for fear of being caught.

Sometimes he waits endlessly for a catch and at other times it is immediate.

The fisherman is familiar with the process and moves in accordance with his need.

It is only the master fisherman who knows the exact location for casting his rod. Trial and error has taught him where the hungriest fish populate, where the most fish bite, and what bait is necessary to get your catch.

Peter, one of the first chosen disciples, was a fisherman. Peter's day to day occupation involved bringing in the freshest catch and selling it to market. Years of fishing had made him an expert in his craft. We can very well assume that he was proficient and prosperous; for he had maintained this occupation for some time. There was no reason for a change. A change was on the horizon.

The Disciples as Fishers of Men

At this time the world was densely populated with men and women who were lost and without direction.

God had long grown weary of the acts committed by His creation; yet He was filled with love and compassion.

Time had been fulfilled and at once God enacted His grace through His son.

There were many to be reached and there were few laborers to reach them. This was of no matter to God. Long before time began He had planned for such a time as this. His plan included an elect few who would laborer to bring His message to the masses.

They had to be taught what needed to be done and how to do it. Jesus being the very son of God understood that men must be reached on their level of understanding. He used fishing to relate to them.

Why fishing?

In those days fishing was a common occupation. Everyone was familiar with the task of a fisherman, the labor involved, and the process. Jesus used that to demonstrate the need and to teach them what was necessary to reach men and women.

Peter

Peter was different from some of the others in that he not only knew of fishing but he was a fisherman. Jesus who understood the secrets of the universe met Peter at his occupation and taught him a lesson on humbleness. He showed Peter that there was one who had come who was greater and could show him how to do greater things than catching fish. He showed Peter how to use what he knew in his occupation to reach the people.

So it was that every one of those chosen men left their nets, patients, clients, friends, wives, mothers, and mother in-laws, Each took up the task of searching the sea of men and women, casting out the word(nets), and catching (bringing the m to Jesus) those who were doomed to be lost eternally were now saved.

This is how they became fishers of men!

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