Gone Fishing
If you’re a fan of basketball, you’ve probably heard the expression, “Gone Fishing.” It’s often said by the crew members of the NBA on TNT broadcast, (Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie and Kenny). They tend to use it during the playoff season when a team has been eliminated from competition in a-best of playoff-series. The expression signifies the end of that particular team’s rigorous competitive season and the beginning of a relaxed off-season.
Even though the phrase is now being utilized in regard to basketball, its application has been around for almost two thousand years but with a much greater significance. See for yourself.
1Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”
“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night – John 21:1-3 (NLT).
In case you missed it, Peter and the disciples called it quits, game over, “gone fishing.” Let me offer a little more background from Scripture to expose Peter’s gone fishing mentality. Luke 5:4-11 (NLT) records:
4 When he [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Thus, it’s apparent that Peter had forgotten that he was selected, chosen in the draft by Jesus and was placed in the starting lineup. He had forgotten that he was now playing the game of life whereby his role was to be a fisher of men! Unlike basketball, the game of life is not seasonal but all year round because lives depend on it.
Yet, because Peter experienced a devasting loss, he thought it best to relinquish the work of God and return to his former profession, fishing for fish. Peter’s mindset was that of someone who’s “gone fishing” and is no longer in pursuit of obtaining the prize, no longer being dedicated, determined, and diligent to the cause. No longer being alert, vigilant, and watchful to the adversaries’ moves.
Sadly, too many men today are like Peter, “gone fishing.” They have returned to their former life and have forgotten they were called out of darkness into the marvelous light of Jesus to serve His purpose and His kingdom. Too many men are like Peter, having returned to their familiar surroundings, and have abandoned the work of the Lord.
Yet, Jesus seeks to restore every man who is willing to repent, as He did Peter. He seeks to redirect one’s misguided plans and infuse the right perspective. He does this because of His great love for you, so that at the end of this most consequential game of life, you will be found worthy, obtaining a harvest that is exceedingly great.
6 Then he [Jesus] said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it – John 21:6 (NLT).
