Go Fishing

Wherever I go, whatever I am doing, I am always fishing

Text for Today – Matthew 17:27 – Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

What’s happening in your life right now?  Are you facing a specific need that will soon be upon you?  Are you facing some kind of deadline in your life, or perhaps even your business?  In our Text for Today, Jesus was facing a legal and financial deadline, and so apparently was Peter.  There are few people I know, if facing a legal and financial deadline, especially one dealing with a tax issue, who would either go fishing, or advise someone in that situation to go fishing.  But Jesus did just that.

While the first fish Peter caught had a coin in its mouth of sufficient face value to take care of both his and Jesus’ tax situation, I believe there is more to this story than just that fact.  When Jesus called His disciples to His side, He did so with a promise to them.  He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  On at least two occasions, Jesus used the catching of two large draughts of fish to teach a lesson about what He was sent to do.  At the first draught of fish, Jesus commanded that the nets be “let down.”  At the second, He commanded that the nets be “cast out.”  You see, when He first came, He came only to the lost sheep of Israel, but before His departure, He sent His disciples to catch men by going into all the world, with no regard to ethnicity, national origin, sex, or estate in life.  Thank God He included you and me in that number! 

So, once again I ask you; what are you facing today?  A specific need, a pressing debt, or a financial burden?  Does it seem impossible to you?  Well, in every one of the “fish situations” we’ve examined today, it looked the same way. Still, when His disciples obeyed His voice and let down or cast out the nets, or used a hook to catch one fish at a time, in every situation, there was a supernatural supply manifest for them.

Now I’m not suggesting you go to the local pond, lake, or river with your fishing tackle or a net.  But I am suggesting that you take on the task to which you have been called.  You are a fisher of men, so ready your net or your hook and go fishing.  Remember, the Lord has said the laborer is worthy of his hire; and what is the value of a soul?  God is still in the miracle provision business.  He will meet your need.  Put Him and His commandment first, and He WILL meet your every need and more.

Manna for Today – Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20