Bait for People?

One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, “Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch.” Simon replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets.” So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink. When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” Peter and those with him were overcome with amazement because of the number of fish they caught. James and John, Zebedee’s sons, were Simon’s partners and they were amazed too. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.” As soon as they brought the boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus. (Luke 5:1-11, CEB)

What is the bait you would use to catch people?

I mean when I think of fishing for people I get the mental image of someone casting a line and reeling in a person. So what would you use for bait?

For me it would be coffee, or bacon. Biscuits and gravy would work too. And after a couple recent trips to Disney World, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls would do the trick as well! But actually the fishing in these verses is not with a pole and line, but nets. The fish are dragged in and so is that how we are fishing for people?

Kind of. We need to cast our nets. And that isn’t going around playing finger cymbals. We cast a net of love to help people see that God already loves them as they are.

We show the world love and hope. Acceptance and grace. That is what God called us to do. Love.

Cast a net of love and fish for people.

Loving People. Loving God.