I have no doubt that if Peter, Andrew, James, and John had been carpenters, Jesus would have said, “Follow me, and I will make you builders of the Church.” Jesus met people on terms to which they could best relate.
There is something appealing, though, about this image of a fisherman, especially in terms of building the Church, or evangelism.
I know from spending a chunk of my childhood on the Finley River in the Ozark Mountains that there are many ways to fish.
My great grandfather would spend hours on end waiting for perch and bluegill to swallow a worm on his hook. I suspect this was relaxing for him.
Others would use a fly, constantly casting and reeling. It was hard work.
I have a picture of my great grandfather and his brother using a seine, stretching a net across a river and walking upstream. This method usually yields large catches.
I’ve never had much luck spear fishing, but I have speared a few frogs with a gig, which is similar.
My brother was a pretty good “noodler” when he was a boy. To noodle, he stuck his hands underwater, usually near a rock, around which fish hide, and use his wiggling fingers as bait. When the fish bit he would grab it with his hands.
All these ways of fishing are effective. The same could be said about evevangelism. There are many ways to reach lost souls.
There is, however, one condition. Before one can be a Fisher of Men, one must first follow Jesus. Walk in His path. Learn from Him. Listen to His Word. Obey His commandments. Grow close to Him. Love Him. One must follow the Way to lead the Way.
Trust Him.
Fear Not for I will make you fishers of men.
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