Pastor's Pen
David Thoreau once said, “Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.”
Fishing gives a man time to think, to be alone with his thoughts. He can peacefully contemplate the past, the present and the future. Commune with God and feel at peace with the world until his thoughts are interrupted by a fish. Then anticipation, expectation and excitement kick in.
These characteristics are what made fisherman ideal disciples for Christ Jesus. Unlike the Pharisees of the time,the disciples were not out for political, monetary, or social gain.
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, wrote, “Those, who are willing to leave their nets, or cast them on the right side for Truth have the opportunity now, as a foretime, to learn and practise Christian healing.”
In the book of Matthew, we read Jesus told his disciples to “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.”
Christ Jesus had the right equipment to catch men. He had God’s Law all powerful, with no holes, weak spots or weight limits. He had the word of God which “made men’s hearts burn within them.” And he had the doctrine of God.
To quote Mrs. Eddy, “rises above the dark sea of mortal beliefs.”
So what was the bait? What drew men to this new teaching? How about the promise of eternal life! It is recorded that the multitudes thronged Him and followed Him. They were hooked. So remember you hook ‘em, Christ will clean ‘em.”
Melody Smith
First Reader
First Church of Christ Scientist