When is a Disciple Not a Fisherman?

Are we really fishers of men if we never put our hook in the water? Mennonite Pastor, John M. Drescher, wrote a rather convicting article entitled, “The Fishless Fisherman,” in which he asked this same question. We spend a lot of time reading about the best evangelism lures, poles, and equipment, but we never go to the water and put our line in. And if we never go to the water and put our line in are we following Jesus?

Here’s perhaps a different perspective on being a fisher of men. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This was the first thing that Christ taught His disciples. Isn’t that interesting? How important was evangelism to Jesus? It was the first thing He taught the disciples and usually it is the last thing we teach new believers, (or mature disciples for that matter), isn’t it? This is not an indictment, but rather an observation… why do we not make the first thing we teach new followers of Christ, the first thing Jesus taught them?

This all comes down to the plain and simple truth of obedience. Think of it this way, when your knees begin to knock at the thought of sharing the gospel - greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world, AND, He desires all men to be saved! With those two boundless truths, obedience becomes easier because of Who is on your side and Who wants your friend to know Him!

With the Lord on our side desire our friend to be saved, we need to be obedient to go to the water and put our line in. It’s only as we make important to us what was important to Him that we will truly be followers of Jesus and fishers of men.