Don't Get Caught by a Fisherman

Fishermen and fisherwomen are known for a lot of reasons. First, they are natural tellers of tall tales. Pictures are important when documenting the size of their catch. Avid anglers are noted for patience. Most people who fish have a sense of time and place, for when and where, their catch is located. They select their bait with uncanny wisdom. Never forget, those who fish...are born to catch!

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets." (Luke 5:1-2, NIV). This is the beginning narrative of a fishing story, about the greatest Fisherman who ever lived. Jesus was out catching disciples. A full one third of his twelve disciples were professional fishermen. Jesus would catch his world by surprise with a motley crew of anglers. Wouldn't it make sense to capture the qualities of those who fish, to grasp the hearts and minds of the people?

If you can catch fish...you can learn there is more game in the pond. "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." (Luke 5:10b-11, NIV). Fish? Men? What's the difference?
It could mean all the difference in the world. The disciples left their fishing business, to follow Him.

Jesus continues to hang around the waters edge, looking for anglers returning empty. Larry was one of those fishermen, caught by the Lord. Larry still sports on the water, but his eyes have been opened to fields beyond. The Kingdom of God has come to these waters...in the Person of Jesus the Christ.

Did I say, 'don't get caught by a fisherman?' If Jesus has transformed them into fishers of men, they are not just any old fisherman. They have been sent to you, by the Lord himself, because YOU are a worthy catch! Read the rest of this fish story in the Gospel of Luke, chapter five...it gets even better. Pastor Al