During a recent fishing trip, my brother-in-law and I were reminded that you have to fish in the right location. We claimed a spot near a wooden fishing pier that stretched out into the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, it was not a good choice. The bait fish, which attracted the schools of the desired Spanish mackerel, were on the other side of the pier. Anglers less than 50 yards away were easily catching their limit while we struggled to get even a nibble.
Jesus showed that location matters too when it comes to “fishing for people” (Luke 5:10). Shortly after recruiting some of His first disciples, He and the men attended a banquet in the home of a Jewish tax collector name Levi. At this banquet were many of “Levi’s fellow tax collectors” (Luke 5:27-29).
The questionable crowd didn’t sit well with the Jewish religious leaders. They “complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, ‘Why do you eat and drink with such scum?’ ” (Luke 5:30). They couldn’t grasp why Jesus would have anything to do with those who got rich collaborating with the Roman government while their fellow countrymen struggled to make ends meet.
But Jesus understood that location matters. He showed His disciples that in order to “fish” for people, you have to go where the “sinners” are (Luke 5:32). This is dangerous “fishing.” It presents the danger of being compromised by the world. So it requires a strong relationship with Jesus and deep commitment to follow Him in obedience. It also requires regular involvement with other like-minded believers. But if we’re going to share the gospel of Jesus with the world, we must be in the world—location matters!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 7:32-53
More:
Read Matthew 28:19-20 and see where God tells us to “fish” and what we can expect of Him in those locations.
Next:
Where is God calling you to be in the world but not of it? How can you maintain a strong and growing faith even as you’re exposed to sinful living?
Sarah C on July 28, 2013 at 3:22 am
What is termed ” healing virtues” should actually be termed “healing grace” ( u know- the broken arm set in a cast that would heal with time ? ). There were times Paul was stoned and left for dead, but when his attackers were gone, AND THE BRETHREN GATHERED AROUND HIM, he was able to get up and go on. So, yes, the crowd CAN be healing, but to WHOM goes the credit for this grace? B.t.w , the “crowd of witnesses” in Heaven emits G-d’s grace to this planet, too. Heaven’s portal is still open . Most of the time, people don’t recognise that, that’s all .
Sarah C on July 28, 2013 at 3:46 am
I am so sorry, I made a mistake. Heb 12:1 never ever claimed that the “so great..crowd of witnesses” are only in Heaven, just that we are surrounded by so great a crowd. I.o.w , they’re here among us, too, thiese Heavenly Witnesses. And the grace emitted by THIS crowd could be greater and more significant than we realise . B.t.w Messiah Himself is a Witness ( He DID say His Father and Himself are the Two Witnesses needed in a testimony ) and He was ” full of Grace and Truth” .
Sarah C on July 28, 2013 at 3:53 am
Oops ! So sorry ! ANOTHER mistake – Heb 12:1 ” CLOUD of witnesses” , not ” CROWD” . But then
, is there really a difference ?
tgustafs on July 29, 2013 at 6:46 am
Sarah, I don’t see a difference. I believe “cloud” is a poetic way of referring to that heavenly crowd. To me, it’s one of the more fascinating passages of Scripture.
BREAK: Jeff, something tells me that you take great comfort in the fact that Jesus Himself loved to hang out with fishermen. 🙂 I can really relate to your statement that we need a strong relationship with Jesus to reach out to the world.
Sarah C on July 29, 2013 at 7:46 am
tgustafs, precisely what I’m driving at – this “cloud of witnesses” SURROUND US, according to Heb 12:1. I.o.w they’re HERE on planet Earth with us, the invisible grace of G-d emitted by their presence among us make planet Earth more habitable . G-d’s true yet-to-be-glorified believers emit G-d’s grace, too, of ‘cos, but nothing like there already-glorified invisble saints . Heb 12:1 did NOT say ” …IN HEAVEN ” though they’re also there as well , of ‘cos . I believe Messiah is the Ladder they use to traverse the realms .
mike wittmer on July 29, 2013 at 12:04 pm
This is a tension that I often feel, Jeff. There seems to be safety in our Christian cocoons, but how will we reach the lost from within there? Thank you for pointing the way forward.
alli on July 30, 2013 at 10:59 am
this i have to be careful because how do you know this is not just an excuse to hang out. I mean im concerned about turning away you know ‘the wise walk with the wise’ i would say its one thing to be around so you can witness, but i often get it wrong when i don’t want to participate and ppl are saying that i should. but if what they are doing grieves my soul i must leave. you can visit ppl but i would think it would probably have a purpose.
Jeff Olson on July 30, 2013 at 11:31 am
Alli and Mike, this is a real tension to be sure…We shouldn’t be naive about the potential pitfalls…our our primary reason for “hanging out” with ppl is to show them Jesus (and eventually talk to them about Jesus)…if we have other alternative motives, then we probably aren’t ready to “fish” in those particular waters…And sometimes it’s take another Christian friend in my life to point out that my motives aren’t as pure as I think.
winn collier on August 1, 2013 at 1:14 pm
thanks for the reminder that our location (the places of our lives) require our attention and are crucial to the particular ways we will follow Jesus.