We Are Fishermen - A Parable

We Are Fishermen 

A Parable

(by:  An Anonymous Writer)

   Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves Fishermen.  And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around, and the fish were hungry.  Week after week, month after month, and year after year, those who called themselves fishermen met to talk about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing.

   Week after week, month after month, and year after year, they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing is always to be a primary task of fishermen.

   Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing.  They sponsored nation-wide and world-wide congresses to discuss fishing, promote fishing, and hear about all the ways of fishing.  They researched the new fishing equipment, the fish calls, and any new bait.  In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish.  All the fishermen agreed that what was needed was a board which could challenge fishermen to be faithful to fishing.

   Large training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish.  Over the years, courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, and how to approach and feed fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology.  But the teachers themselves did not fish.  They only taught fishing.  And those who were sent out did exactly as those who sent them.  They formed groups and held special meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to declare how important fishing was.  They talked about the great need for fishing.  They prayed much that many fish might be caught.  They analyzed the fish and discussed what is necessary in order to catch fish.  

   But one thing they did not do, was to actually go fishing to catch fish.

My question for you is this:  Is a person a fisherman if he never catches fish?

Matthew 4: 18-20

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

   Are you a fisher of men?  You should be.  There are literally thousands of hungry fish all around you.  You walk through schools of fish just waiting to be caught by a savvy fisherman.  So why aren’t you fishing?  Let down your net and see the catch!

Lord, I live in the midst of schools of fish.  Remind me that my purpose here is to catch the fish, not to stand and watch them as they pass by me.

 

Stephen Cram                                                          August 3, 2014

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, following the tradition of men according to the rudiments of the world, and not in accordance with Christ. 

Visit my pastor’s blog at http://pastorjonrhinehart.blogspot.com/.

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture is from the New King James Version of the Bible.