Fisher of People
- Rev Robert Moses
- Jan 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 16
3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Lessons (RCL, Year A): Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 5-13; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; and, Matthew 4:12-23
"Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)
The fishing metaphor doesn’t really resonate with me. I’ve said it before; I’m not a fisherman. I understand the metaphor on an intellectual and literary level, but it just doesn’t strike a chord with me. I can’t remember the last time I went fishing—probably on one of those boats where the crew does everything for you. You know, the kind of tours where rods and reels are provided, lines are hooked and baited, and fish are located using sonar. All I had to do was reel in the catch, and the crew would unhook and clean the fish for me. That’s my idea of fishing. If I’m honest, my version of fishing is choosing my meal at a restaurant, having it prepared, and then leaving the cleanup to someone else. But to each their own.
Regardless, the fishing metaphor is strong in Matthew’s gospel, likely because the first four who were invited to follow Jesus were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. The narrative we heard today, rich with this metaphor, represents a new beginning for those four fishermen. The Bible is full of beginnings: There is THE beginning “when God created the heavens and the earth,” speaking existence into being, with the magnificent cosmos flowing from the very Word of God.
There are other beginnings as well: The human race begins with Adam and Eve. The earth begins anew after the flood with Noah and his family. Sarah and Abraham answer God’s call to leave the land of the Chaldeans, beginning anew in the land of Canaan. Moses leads his people from the slavery of Egypt. Ultimately, there will be a new beginning when the holy city descends from heaven to earth, the New Jerusalem—a place to begin what will be forever new.
Some beginnings in the biblical narrative are known as “Call” stories, which are common in prophetic narratives. Figures like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and Jeremiah have dramatic call narratives. A call story simply recounts how someone is invited by God to start something new.
Andrew, Simon, James, and John would have risen when the sky was still dark to begin their day at sea—hurling nets into the water and pulling them back in anticipation of catching fish. It would have been just another day, indistinguishable from many they had experienced before. They engaged in their routine, with no signs of change in sight, as they had done thousands of times prior. This was their life—fishermen on the Sea of Galilee.
Yet, amid the familiar smells and sounds of the sea, among the nets and rough wood of boats, and against the rhythmic motion of the waves, a new beginning was taking shape. Jesus appeared at the waterside. Perhaps they had encountered him before, maybe near the Jordan, where they went to see what the preacher John was doing with his baptisms and his challenges to hypocrites. Jesus looked at these hardworking men in their boats with their nets and their catch. “Follow me,” he called out, “and I will make you fish for people.” These four diligent fishermen heard Jesus' voice, dropped their nets, and followed him.
This was a new beginning, an adventure unfolding. G. K. Chesterton believed that an adventure is something that comes to us—it chooses us, rather than us choosing it. Jesus goes forth and invites those fishermen. He doesn’t seek out what we might consider “likely” candidates; instead, he interrupts fishermen at their work. For these fishermen, discipleship became the grand adventure and an invitation to leave the predictable and step into the unknown.
This truth applies to all disciples: we are chosen by the one who comes for us—someone great beyond measure. We are pulled away from our predictable lives and thrust into adventure. Woe to anyone who dulls this journey and turns discipleship into something safe. Blessed are those for whom adventure remains sharp, who continuously find themselves at a new beginning.
Are Andrew, Simon, James, and John ready and equipped for the adventure that arrives for them—this adventure of discipleship? Jesus at the waterside doesn’t collect resumes or check references. The personal histories of these four do not determine their future. Christ’s invitation represents a new beginning. He takes a significant risk by inviting them, and they reciprocate with their response.
The events that follow do not show that they are particularly fit for their call. Simon, who will come to be known as Peter, betrays Jesus. James and John, nicknamed the Sons of Thunder, display a lack of temperament, indulging their dreams of power and completely missing the point when Jesus announces that humility is the true path to his kingdom. Andrew rarely appears again in the narratives, perhaps because he plays it too safe. Yet, Jesus never withdraws his invitation to any of them.
“Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” It’s a simple yet profound invitation that would spark a remarkable transformation. Jesus, God incarnate, began with four fishermen and then called twelve apostles. Those twelve grew to five hundred, which became thousands, and eventually millions…eventually you and me.
We are invited into this discipleship. Often, we act as though only a few select individuals can share the story of Jesus. Epiphany is a season of proclamation—of bearing witness to the power of God at work among God’s people. We had our annual meeting, and the diocese had its annual convention. We reflected on the way we have been and will be church together. We examined our lives together, and now is the time to decide how and if we will embody the incarnate Christ in our time and place.
Today's lesson from Isaiah, echoed in the gospel, reads: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined."
The light of Christ has shined on us; now is the time for that light shine through us! Bishop Holcomb reminded us at convention that
“[Mission] is not strong people doing things for God. It is weak people who have been broken open by grace, fully known and fully loved, carrying a treasure that is not theirs in a strength that is not theirs for a glory that is not theirs.”
In our community, where seniors face hunger and loneliness and struggle to meet their needs, people have stepped up to provide nutritious meals and assistance. This is the light that shines in a land of deep darkness.
In our community, where some parents struggle, and children walk in darkness, individuals have committed to being guardians, offering protection, wisdom, and guidance. This is the light that shines in a land of deep darkness.
In our community, where migrant families face hunger, have their rights trampled upon, and where their children suffer, advocates have risen to fight for fairness and dignity. This is the light that shines in a land of deep darkness.
In our community, where change is needed to achieve justice, PEACE, the Interfaith Coalition, the Rose Dynasty Foundation, and Pride have emerged to foster transformation. This is the light that shines in a land of deep darkness.
This is who we are: People of faith on whom light has shone coming together to bring food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing for the naked, healthcare for the sick, visits to the imprisoned, and welcome to the refugee. This is our witness. This is our Epiphany, a time to recognize Christ present, born into the world, affirming our humanity, and seeking and sowing grace. May we be Epiphany light.
Comments