FISHERS OF MEN

Matthew 4:19 – “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

I’ve always loved to fish. Growing up along the Five Mile River in northeastern Connecticut, we didn’t have much money, but Dad always made sure we had a little aluminum boat and a few rods to keep us happy. Some of my fondest memories are of casting lines with him, waiting for that tug.

One Christmas, my two-year-old nephew reminded me of this verse in the most unexpected way. His parents had set up the nativity scene, but as toddlers do, he managed to knock Joseph behind the shelf—far out of reach. Determined to fix it, he grabbed his dad’s fishing pole, carefully dropped the line down, and tried again and again to “catch” Joseph.

When his father finally asked, “What are you doing?” the boy grinned and said, “I’m fishing for men, just like Jesus did.”

He couldn’t see Joseph. He didn’t know if he’d succeed. But he kept fishing.

That’s exactly what the Lord calls us to do. Our job isn’t to catch—it’s to fish. We are called to cast out our testimonies, our invitations, our quiet example of faith. The results are not in our hands. Just as the disciples cast their nets in obedience and pulled in a miraculous catch, we too are called to trust that the outcome belongs to the Lord.

A fish may or may not bite the line. That has nothing to do with our skill and everything to do with God’s timing and a heart ready to receive Him. As Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44).

Too often we act as though Jesus said, “I will make you recruiters of men.” But He never called us to pressure or drag people in. He called us to fish—to cast faithfully, patiently, and joyfully. Obedience may look simple, but it is active faith: dropping the line again and again, trusting God to do the catching.

After a while, his dad asked, “Have you caught Joseph yet?”

“No, Daddy, not yet,” he sighed. “Fishing for men makes me tired.” Then he curled up and fell asleep.

May we learn from this child's persistence and Jesus’ promise: to keep fishing, trusting the One who never loses a catch.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to fish. Not by pulling or striving, but by casting in faith and waiting on You. Give me patience to share, persistence to trust, and joy in knowing the catch belongs to You. Amen.

Thank you for reading! Please share if you feel this would help someone. This blog exists to bring biblical clarity to the stories shaping our world. If you’ve been encouraged, share this post with someone who needs truth and hope today. Together, let’s stand firm in Christ – where faith meets the front page. These are my thoughts. What are yours?