03-30-03 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

Mark 1:16~18

Now as (Jesus) he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

What a joy it is to watch a kid catch his first fish. Suddenly, that kid's made a connection with another living creature, and he's never quite the same after that. First, there's that tugging on his line from something he can't see, and that makes him nervous. When he finally comes face to face with his catch, he feels a joy that just spills over to everyone around him. No matter how unruly, how whiny or how troubled that kid is, after hooking his first fish, a peace comes over him, and it's kinda like what happens when we finally make the connection with Jesus.

Jesus told the Barjona boys to follow Him and become fishers of men. When I imagine Simon Peter fishing, I see him in his Nitro Patriot bass boat; 225 horsepower propelling him along at a pretty serious clip with only a teeny bit of the hull still touching the water, because he's going to be the first one to get to his spot. When I envision myself as a fisher of men, I'm sitting on the bank under a shade tree, ice chest and six pack at arm's length, a bell that doesn't work tied onto my cane pole that's stuck in the mud, and an empty hook on the other end of the line. We are all different, but we have all been called to discipleship, and that means every day should be a learning experience in Christ Jesus. Let the best fishing Guide lead you to the most productive waters; let Him show you the best bait to use; let Him teach you how to present it, and let Him point out exactly where to cast it.

We've been given the commission: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Let's go fishin'! Honoring His memory requires that we never forget He died so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish. The cup He drank was not just for us; it was for all.