Lay Down Your Net

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

Lay Down Your Net

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." Matthew 4:19

A few months ago, I took part in what I wish I could call a “friendly discussion”.

In my mind it was an attempt to reel a close friend back into faith.

Prior to this moment I’ve never been given an opportunity to do so.

So, I was nervous, shaking and stuttering, and stumbling over my words.

I tried to remain gentle and use the most relevant biblical references drawn from my basic memory.

I didn’t approach the bible to read from it directly until she asked.

To summarize things, I don’t feel as if I got anything through to her.

After I listened to her dilemma, attempted to relate with her, and shared my views I still ended up losing the dispute.

My basic proposition was this, “Jesus is God.”

Her proposition was, “Jesus is not God. He is an extension of God and the bible is a result of the idolatry of Jesus, who is for the most part a human.”

During the conversation she asked, “why are you so passionate about this?”

Regrettably, I responded with, “It’s my Christian duty.”

As I look back I realize that I did something wrong.

By telling her that it was my Christian duty, my whole objective turned into a cliché.

She may have perceived my passion as an intention to change her mind because I was told to do so.

Now, I wish that she would have known, that it was so much deeper than that.

It’s a desire of God that we fish for men.

But we don’t do it merely because were supposed to.

This would suggest that Christianity is about order, or organized control.

Indeed, I am a solider for Christ, but I am not fit.

I’m a servant, but I am not fatigued.

After Jesus said, “Come, follow Me, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

Peter and Andrew DROPPED their nets.

We know that Jesus was not being literal when He said, “fishers of men”.

But even the pulpit commentary referred to this stanza as “the change in the nature of the work.”

We don’t fish for people with nets, and it doesn’t involve the guidance of a set routine.

I didn’t do it because I was given an instruction to do it.

I took time out to contend with my friend because I truly felt that she would be a very strong, passionate, and influential Christian.

I believe that her strength PRECEDED the strength of the Christians who have touched my life.

I sat with her because I loved her. I viewed her as a BIG FISH.

I wish that I could go back and tell her that Christianity is not about perfection, it’s about loving one another.

And that I believe that she would please my God merely by her capacity to love.

When Jesus said FISHER, he didn’t mean that you would fish by the rules of fishing.

It wouldn't have required bait or a boat but rather courage, kindness, and compassion.

They laid down their nets and followed Him.