FISHERS OF MEN
‘I will make you fishers of men.’
The object of the preaching of the Gospel is to catch men.
I. Only Christ can make fishers of men.—Christian people should be willing to give up their cleverest and brightest boy to preach the Gospel, but when they have done all, all is not done, for it is only Christ who can make ‘fishers of men.’ ‘Apart from Me,’ says the Lord, ‘ye can do nothing’ (St. John 15:5, R.V.). Christ is indispensable; we cannot do without Him.
II. Hiding self is the secret of catching men.—The true fisherman will tell you his great secret is to hide himself: and certainly self-forgetfulness is the essence of the highest preaching. If the preacher does not forget himself his hearers will not. Sometimes men are caught by some consistent life and not by preaching.
III. Without love men cannot be caught.—You remember how in St. John 21 our Lord asks St. Peter three times the same question—‘Lovest thou Me?’ The Greek word translated ‘love’ in Matthew 4:15-16, is not quite the same. In Matthew 4:15 our Lord says to St. Peter, ‘ Lovest thou Me more than these?’ St. Peter answers, ‘Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that Thou art dear to me.’ Then in Matthew 4:16 our Lord says the second time, ‘ Lovest thou Me?’ St. Peter answers, ‘Yea, Lord; Thou knowest Thou art dear to me.’ Then the third time Christ uses St. Peter’s own word, ‘ Am I dear to thee?’ And St. Peter replies, ‘Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that Thou art dear to me.’ If Christ is dear to us, then and only then shall we win souls for Him.
—The Rev. F. Harper.
Illustrations
(1) ‘An old man was trout-fishing, pulling them out one after another briskly. “You manage it cleverly, old friend,” said a passer-by; “I have passed a good many below who do not seem to be doing anything.” The old man lifted himself up, and stuck his rod in the ground. “Well, you see, sir, there be three rules for trout-fishing; and ’tis no use trying if you don’t mind them. The first is, keep yourself out of sight. The second is, keep yourself further out of sight. And the third is, keep yourself further out of sight still. Then you’ll do it.” ’
(2) ‘The density of shoals of fish in the Sea of Galilee can scarcely be conceived by those who have not witnessed them. Frequently these shoals cover an acre or more of the surface, and the fish, as they move along slowly in masses, are so crowded, with their back fins just appearing on the level of the water, that the appearance at a little distance is that of a violent shower of rain pattering on the surface. We obtained fourteen species of fish in the lake, and probably the number inhabiting it is at least three times as great.’
(SECOND OUTLINE)
THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
This incident brings to our mind three distinct points in connection with the Christian ministry.
I. The aim of the ministry.—As fish in the waters, so the souls of men are plunged and wandering in this world of sin, both oceans equally vast, and alike troubled and agitated. To ‘deliver them from this present evil world’ and gather them into the Kingdom of God is the task of the minister of the Gospel, and the aim of all his efforts. The true aim of this vocation is the salvation of souls. The mission of the minister has various aspects; his means of action are diverse; but all must be subordinate to the supreme end we have mentioned and defined.
II. The source of its efficacy.—‘ I will make you fishers of men.’ This promise sums up the whole of the work of grace which Christ accomplished in His disciples, and which He accomplishes still in every minister of the Gospel who is worthy of the name. Let us mark its principal stages.
(1) Conversion. To become fishers of men we must, as it were, have been caught ourselves.
(2) Calling. ‘Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you,’ said Jesus to His disciples.
(3) Preparation and spiritual education. The education of the disciples was, if not the most brilliant, at any rate the most important, part of Christ’s ministry, and the triumph of His charity and wisdom.
(4) He grants success.
III. The condition of its efficacy.—‘Follow Me.’ Follow Jesus, that was in reality the sole business of the apostles, and it is also ours.
What is faith? Following Jesus with the thought.
Love? Following Jesus with the heart.
Obedience? Following Jesus with the will.
Sanctification? Following in His steps and imitating His example.
Self-denial, the spirit of sacrifice? Leaving all to follow Him, as did the fishermen of the sea of Galilee.