By Pastor Steve Nickodemus
Fishing For the Wrong Fish!
“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”
John 21:3 English Standard Version
You would think that Peter would have learned the first time.
The first time Jesus came to him while he was fishing on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus provided a great catch of fish for him and told him, “…from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10b) This time, after Jesus was raised from the dead, Peter went back to fishing for fish. Jesus again gave him a great catch of fish and redirected him again to be about fishing for men, not fish.
I am a lot like Peter. Jesus has told me to be about his Father’s business, to be witnessing and discipling people. But again and again I am distracted by other pursuits, allowing those pursuits to have priority over the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
What about you? For what purpose do you think God created and redeemed you? Did he save you so that you could be distracted and anxious about many other things? Or didn’t he save you so that you could follow him and be about the business of catching men?
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son for you, that you might have eternal life. He did that so you might seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. That you might be a light to those in darkness. That others might come to know his salvation and mercy.
What will you be doing today? No matter what your agenda might be, I invite you to reprioritize that agenda to be looking for those “divine appointments”, where you might have opportunity to share the love of Jesus, to speak of him to others. Don’t be too busy with the mundane things of this world that you miss your main purpose for being here, to catch men. God bless you on your amazing fishing journeys! Amen!
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado
