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Read Mark 1:14-20
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14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." 16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
“Our mission is fishin’.” That is the simple phrase used by a congregation in Denver, Colorado to express their purpose as disciples of Christ. I try to think of what the equivalent might be if Jesus had called farmers, carpenters, or people of any other profession to be his first disciples… nothing comes to mind. Maybe it’s a good thing they were fishermen. The concept of fishing translates easily enough regardless of your experience or ability. Jesus gathers people to experience life and salvation in him and calls us to do the same.
We can make this calling so difficult and overwhelming that at times it paralyzes us from being able to be “fishers of men.” This is not to minimize our need to have clear understanding of our faith and theology, especially given the world we live in where so many incorrect understandings of God and Christ exist. However, there is also a great simplicity. As disciples who have experienced grace, forgiveness, and life in Christ, we draw others in saying, “see for yourself this Jesus who came, died, and rose from the dead for me and for you.” Our mission is fishin’!
Prayer
Jesus, you redeemed me, reconciled me to God, and by your Spirit called me to faith. Grant that by your Holy Spirit I may direct others to the good news of your salvation so that they too may receive the gift of salvation. Amen.