September 30th~Gone Fishin'

Luke 5:1-11

Mark 1:40-45

Matthew 8:1-4

Luke 5:12-16

Mark 2:1-12

Matthew 9:1-8

Luke 5:17-26

Mark 2:13-17

Matthew 9:9-13

Luke 5:27-32

Mark 2:18-22

Matthew 9:14-17

Luke 5:33-39

We followed Jesus around as He traveled and taught and healed the people in the area of Galilee (in the north). The response of the people was about the same wherever He went. Most of them were amazed at His teaching and impressed with His miracles; however, there were always some in the crowd — usually religious leaders like Pharisees and Sadducees — who questioned His authority and actions. Thus, they constantly looked for ways to trick Jesus and condemn His ministry.

This two-fold response from the crowds stood out to me as the theme of today’s section. When Jesus called Andrew and Peter, both fishermen, to follow Him, He said to them, “Come and be My disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:10). What does it mean to “fish for people”? Jesus would equip them, empower them, and encourage them to share the Gospel with others. That is the reason that He came to earth and that’s the focus that He wanted His disciples to have also (Luke 4:42-44; Matthew 28:19, 20).

Therefore, like fishermen, Jesus and His disciples would “cast their nets” by sharing the Good News with as many people as they could; we would call this evangelism. Like fish, some people responded favorably by swimming into the net; however, others played “hard to get.” In today’s terms, we might say that Jesus and His disciples were “casting their lines” to see which fish would “bite down” or “take the bait.”

When we are fishing for people, not everyone will respond favorably; some will not “bite down on our bait” or swim into our net. In fact, some people will bite back, like the Pharisees did to Jesus, questioning His identity or authority. Thus, there are times when we must do what Jesus did and defend the Gospel, which simply means to give an answer or explanation for our message, for why the Gospel is true. Defending the faith is called apologetics. Just as evangelism is important, so is apologetics, knowing how to navigate around the obstacles that people will use to block the Gospel’s advance.

Daily Reflection

Evangelism and apologetics, two activities that should be a regular part of your life. How would you evaluate your efforts in fishing for people?

Does anything about evangelism or apologetics intimidate you? Why or why not?

Keep in mind, sharing the Gospel is as simple as telling people what God has done in your life, like the leper who told everyone what Jesus did for him (Mark 1:45). It can be as simple as using the opportunities you have in everyday life to expose people to the message of Christ, like Matthew did by inviting friends over for dinner (Matthew 9:9-13).

While you are called to “go fishing,” you don’t have to quit your day job. Simply fish as you go! Cast your line and let God do the rest. Some people will respond well; others may not respond at all. That is okay. Like Peter, sometimes you will fish all night and catch nothing, and sometimes God will overflow your net.

BiAY.org | Day 273 — 92 Days to Go