Fisher Of Men

John 21:^10-11 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.”

We would pick up from the final thought from yesterday, which is that we count people because people count. We see in scripture that Jesus was deliberate about picking fishermen as part of His disciples. Fishermen always counted the catch, no matter how large, they will take the time and trouble to count. I shared yesterday about how during a conversation with a great man of God, he said that he does not count the people that attend his church. So, my question was, if you do not know how many people are in attendance, how would you know how much intercession is required? How would you know how much parking you need to provide? How do you know how many children, teenagers, men, and women you would need to plan for?

Check scriptures, God always counts people. Take the example of the shepherd; the Bible says the shepherd had a hundred sheep, and one was missing [Luke 15:4]. How can a shepherd enter the pen and see ninety-nine sheep and without counting to know that one was missing? He counted. Sheep are disorderly, ninety-nine looks like one hundred, he could have just gone without counting. The shepherd counted. How did we know five thousand people gave their lives to Jesus after the second altar call in the early church? They counted.

I asked him if he knew the number of people that were in his church that weekend, and he said no. I told him that I could tell him the number of people that were in church week on week. I can tell you how many men, how women, and how many children. I can tell you the path or the direction of the indices. So, I asked him if he counted the offering and, he said yes. I said, ‘Sir, with all due respect, what you are saying is that the money is more important than the people because you count what counts. What you cannot count, you cannot manage, you cannot plan, and you cannot forecast. Fishermen always count; if you are a fisher of men and you are not counting, something is wrong. Fishermen always count.

John 21:¹⁵ “After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these…” I want you to imagine this in the light of all Peter had done and his passion. Even from the first question, Peter should have been offended. John 21:¹⁵ “…Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you…” I pray that you would be able to say to God, ‘Lord, You know I love You’. Can you say that? Peter could. John 21:^15-17 “…Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.” Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” Your expression of love to God depends on your level with God.  We will unpack this in greater detail tomorrow.

Prayer: Father, please give me a shepherd’s heart, in Jesus Name. Amen!