“give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”
This past summer, my father in law Bob taught our boys how to fish, well tried to. The idea, the concept, the thrill of catching a fish they grasped. The patience for it, well let’s just say that is something we will keep working on. It was something to watch and behold. That first fish being hooked, reeled in with such excitement that Eli nearly dropped the rod and Silas was so giddy he literally ran out of his shoes and off the dock. (Let’s just be honest and say it would have been way easier for Bob to do the fishing and the boys watch, but that’s not teaching, right)
Can you imagine being those first disciples and Jesus telling them that I will teach you to be fishers of men.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17
Have you ever thought about that conversation? The confusion about what he was saying. Like in a literal sense I picture Eli trying to bait a hook and throw it out there for Silas to take. You can’t tell me that image doesn’t make you laugh.
As I think about it though, I truly believe a piece of it that we miss is Jesus saying, “follow me and I will show you what is truly important in life, learning who I am and then sharing my love with others.” First they had to learn who Jesus was, allow Him to transform them, and then out of that they couldn’t help but share with others. It was something they learned for life. It wasn’t just a “give a man a fish, it was teach a man to fish,” and in Christ, it is life changing. “Give someone Jesus, and it may change their behavior in church or for a time. Teach someone about Jesus, let them experience Him through your example, disciple them, and you will change a life.” See what I am saying? Making disciples takes time, takes investment, takes patience, but is so worth it. Teaching our kids who Jesus is goes beyond just going to church each week, it’s investing in them through prayer, reading Scripture together, letting them see our lives. Thank you pappy Bob for teaching our kids to “fish.”
When it comes to others, are you looking for the quick change or the life long decision to follow Jesus. God I pray now for what it means to disciple, not just behavior modification but true transformation in you.