Gone fishing

December 31, 2021 (Friday)

 

Last time I ended with the claim, “we are to be holy, hopeful, and hastening the coming of the day of God.” The point came from 2 Peter 3:11 – 12a, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God.” [CEB]

 

The holy and hopeful part should be easy to understand. Peter stated we must live holy and godly lives in light of Jesus’ return, expressed as the “day of God.” The idea of waiting means we are hopeful, but not like the wishful thinking kind. It is a confident expectation of the imminent return of Jesus.

 

The part most people miss is the “hastening the coming.” Peter is stating that the followers of Jesus will establish certain conditions leading to Jesus’ return. Jesus declared, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [Matthew 24:14 ESV] As a follower of Jesus we are tasked with proclaiming the gospel throughout the world. Some have used this verse and idea to compel their missionary endeavors.

 

Another idea that fits is when Jesus stated, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [Matthew 4:19b ESV] Many people think Jesus is urging us to evangelism. A few of the 12 Apostles were fishermen, so this metaphor would resonate with them. However, there is a darker side to the meaning of what Jesus is saying. Consider, fishing is never good for the fish. Consider, whenever fishing is used in Scripture it is context to judgement and doom.

 

For instance, “But I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales. I will pull you out from among your streams, with all the fish sticking to your scales.” [Ezekiel 29:4 NIV] Habakkuk lamented, “The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.” [Habakkuk 1:15 NIV] King Solomon observed, “Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.” [Ecclesiastes 9:12 NIV] (Did I hear someone thing “covid?”)

 

Jesus used the metaphor of fishing then told us, “This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [Matthew 13:49 – 50 NIV] Do you see it now?

 

The fact is the follower of Jesus does not CAUSE the return of Jesus, nor CAUSE the judgement and doom. Simply put, we warn people of what is to come so they can avoid it. In that warning, nobody is left without excuse.

 

What is the “gospel of the kingdom?” If you believe Jesus’ first sermon: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matthew 3:2 ESV] People can be part of the kingdom, or not. People need to be warned. How do you see your role in that message in the new year?