December 3, 2018 – Click here to listen
I’m playing hooky today and going fishing. Seems like I play hooky and go fishing quite often these days. I know that God doesn’t mind that I take some time off to spend on the ocean that He created and that I love. It’s fragrance, sights, and sounds are so relaxing to me and bring me close to Him especially during times of stress. I love the ocean and am happiest when I am far offshore without another boat in sight. I know He loves it too
Jesus has a special place in his heart for boats and fishing. When the Son of God initiated His ministry, the first thing He did was travel to the Sea of Galilee and select four fishermen to be his disciples (Matt. 4:18). Biblical scholars believe that at least seven of the 12 disciples were fishermen. Of the twelve apostles, John 21 tells us that Peter went fishing, and Thomas, ‘Nathaniel’, James and John, and ‘two others’ went fishing with Him. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all fishermen when they were called. The Greek word translated fishermen in English language Bibles is a broader term that actually means seamen, referring to any group of men who made their living on or near the sea (sailors, fishermen, longshoremen, etc.).
Jesus used a number of illustrations about fishing. And no small wonder, He spent much of his time teaching near or on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He fed the masses with fish for one of His miracles and helped the disciples catch 153 large fish and then cooked some of them on the beach after His resurrection.
Why did Jesus choose so many fisherman disciples and give us an example of Him cooking fish? Is there something extraordinarily spiritual about fish and the pastime of angling? Do you suppose it was because fishing provided an analogy for evangelism? Stephen Wright said, “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” That’s what evangelism is all about, giving hope to those who have none.
I suppose many of us go fishing all of our lives without knowing that it is not fish we are truly seeking. I believe I know why Jesus chose to be around the water and fisherman so much; it’s because He has a very special place in His heart for them. Only a fisherman can understand what I’m saying. The peace and quiet of being at sea is quite unlike anything found on land – It’s different! We can enjoy His peace and quiet in a special way when fishing.
I suppose the quote about fishing that I like the most is this one, “When all the routines and details and the human bores get on our nerves, we just yearn to go away from here to somewhere else. To go fishing is a sound, a valid, and an accepted reason for an escape. It requires no explanation.” Herbert Hoover
So today if you are surrounded by human bores, and the cares of this sometimes nasty world are getting you down just a bit, then join me on the sea where the quiet beauty of the azure blue ocean surrounds you and gives you solitude and pause to consider our majesty the King, Jesus Christ and enjoy His rest.
Matthew 14:13
“When Jesus heard what had happened (that John the Baptist was beheaded), he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.