The Kingdom of Imperfect Fishermen
To acknowledge we are not perfect I think is one of the major steps of great wisdom in life. The next step is ascribing who is perfect and lived the perfect life - God in the flesh, Christ Jesus, Father God's only Son.
Because of Christ and His life, believers are victorious in and through the many challenges that life presents, even when death arrives. Because of His perfection, our striving for perfection is not necessary. Christians find their everything, their perfection in Christ, The King of The Kingdom of Imperfect People.
However, within this imperfection and in spite of it - God uses His believers. Writing in his second letter to the believers in Corinth, Paul stated the idea like this -
"But he [Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." - 2 Cor. 12:9
When anyone performs a study on Team Jesus, commonly known as the disciples, they will discover many of these cracked pots, these people with weaknesses or imperfect individuals.
When anyone performs a study on Team Jesus, commonly known as the disciples, they will discover many of these cracked pots, these people with weaknesses or imperfect individuals.
The twelve disciples that Jesus called to be close to Him during His ministry were not top notch scholars of Scripture with great insight on the signs of the time and full disclosure on who Jesus was and what His plan would entail. The individuals Jesus selected were normal, flawed people with regular jobs.
"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'And I will send out you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed Him."
Why would Jesus need people with a fishing mindset? Because when Jesus used this occupation in a spiritually metaphorical manner, the true disciple of Christ and his duties comes to life and can be understood.
Disciples are active believers of Christ Jesus, living out the lifestyle of Jesus and spreading His good news of His kingdom to the uninformed while helping equip the saints for better living.
Similar to the motif of farming (the planter, waterer and reaper) the duties of fishing can be divided up. Some can carry the fishing pole. Some can carry the bait. Some can bait the hook. Some can cast the line into the waters. Some can scoop up the fish with a net. All of us, from all walks of life, inadequate as we come, have a role to play alongside the perfect King in The Kingdom of Imperfect Fishermen.
The Disciples had all kinds of differing personalities and occupations ranging from fisherman to businessman to tax collector to zealot or political revolutionary and treasurer.
However, one particular job attracted Jesus in His pool of selection. At least seven out of the twelve belonged to the Guild of Fisherman. Among these fishermen were Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee according to Matthew 4:18-22. After the resurrection of Jesus - Thomas, Nathaniel and Philip were found fishing, so they also may have been fishermen (John 21:2-8). At least they knew how to fish.
Why fishermen as a focus trade to pull from the possible candidates of disciples? Recall the Lord's summoning of Simon and Andrew in Matthew 4:18-20 -
However, one particular job attracted Jesus in His pool of selection. At least seven out of the twelve belonged to the Guild of Fisherman. Among these fishermen were Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee according to Matthew 4:18-22. After the resurrection of Jesus - Thomas, Nathaniel and Philip were found fishing, so they also may have been fishermen (John 21:2-8). At least they knew how to fish.
Why fishermen as a focus trade to pull from the possible candidates of disciples? Recall the Lord's summoning of Simon and Andrew in Matthew 4:18-20 -
"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'And I will send out you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed Him."
Why would Jesus need people with a fishing mindset? Because when Jesus used this occupation in a spiritually metaphorical manner, the true disciple of Christ and his duties comes to life and can be understood.
Disciples are active believers of Christ Jesus, living out the lifestyle of Jesus and spreading His good news of His kingdom to the uninformed while helping equip the saints for better living.
As Christ Jesus ascended to the right hand of Father God in Heaven, His believers, His disciples became His hands, feet, voice and ministry - His Fishermen. Said another way, Jesus is the Carpenter King who is building a Kingdom of Imperfect Fishermen. These fishermen then fish for or recruit more souls into the Kingdom, who in turn get added to the Guild and Kingdom of Imperfect Fishermen.
Let us place one of these imperfect fishermen, one of the disciples under the microscope to examine. Let us observe Peter. This disciple struck me as a bold person who always wanted to experience the new thing with Jesus.
He tried walking on water with Jesus and was successful for a bit, but failed when fear took over. He declared Jesus, the Son of God and the next minute was influenced by Satan trying to stop Jesus' plan of salvation. Peter was one of the three men who witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus but then suggested three booths of honor for - Moses, Elijah and Jesus - instead of just one for Jesus. He denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him.
All this from a disciple who was a major role in the Jerusalem church, wrote new testament letters and requested to be crucified upside-down. This was certainly a tried, true and beloved cracked pot.
Jesus used a bunch of imperfect people whose majority occupation was fisherman to change the type of bait, type of tackle, type of waters and fish to that of human souls.
Christ's heart has always been for the next person to come into an intimate relationship with Him. This happens through the disciples of Christ. The power in the sacrificial blood of Christ and the testimony of the believer are the main instruments the Imperfect Fisherman for Christ will use (Revelation 12:11). Whether you like or dislike physical fishing, disciples must spiritually apply this fishing imagery process for more men and women of the Lord.
He tried walking on water with Jesus and was successful for a bit, but failed when fear took over. He declared Jesus, the Son of God and the next minute was influenced by Satan trying to stop Jesus' plan of salvation. Peter was one of the three men who witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus but then suggested three booths of honor for - Moses, Elijah and Jesus - instead of just one for Jesus. He denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him.
All this from a disciple who was a major role in the Jerusalem church, wrote new testament letters and requested to be crucified upside-down. This was certainly a tried, true and beloved cracked pot.
Jesus used a bunch of imperfect people whose majority occupation was fisherman to change the type of bait, type of tackle, type of waters and fish to that of human souls.
Christ's heart has always been for the next person to come into an intimate relationship with Him. This happens through the disciples of Christ. The power in the sacrificial blood of Christ and the testimony of the believer are the main instruments the Imperfect Fisherman for Christ will use (Revelation 12:11). Whether you like or dislike physical fishing, disciples must spiritually apply this fishing imagery process for more men and women of the Lord.
Similar to the motif of farming (the planter, waterer and reaper) the duties of fishing can be divided up. Some can carry the fishing pole. Some can carry the bait. Some can bait the hook. Some can cast the line into the waters. Some can scoop up the fish with a net. All of us, from all walks of life, inadequate as we come, have a role to play alongside the perfect King in The Kingdom of Imperfect Fishermen.
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