Not withstanding lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up: and when thou hast opened his mouth thou shalt find a piece of money: that take and give unto them for me and thee.
This passage of scripture is a most precious object lesson that our LORD is intent on instructing the disciples in. It is one of absolute grace, total liberty, and wise labor in the work our master has called us into. Those who come to know the True and Living GOD and seek to glorify Him in the ministry of the Gospel have been given by divine decree from Christ Himself an HOOK with no Bait.
As fishermen for Christ we don't seek to entrap men, entice nor flatter them, wooing them in with baits of different kinds, we are not seeking the approval or acceptance of any that we might please them. Galatians 1:10 "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ"
So we fish as our LORD has called us to with an hook that has no bait. We preach and teach the naked Gospel of a Sovereign Christ, telling men what GOD has done without compromise.
Knowing that it will offend most, knowing that for many it is unpleasant, unpalatable, and carries the fragrance of an stinking odor, how in the world do you catch any fish with no bait?
You don't need any, the hook is enough. Rejoice with me the hook is enough! In this fishing ministry men and women designated, ordained, predestined unto life and faith in the Savior are attracted to the hook alone.
That hook is the Saving grace of God almighty by the redemption that is in His Son Jesus Christ. That hook the elect will find exceedingly attractive and will bite. Everyone else will pass it by, they have no interest in it, it has no bait.
More to come on this subject.
Jesse Gistand, Pastor
Grace Bible Church
San Leandro, CA 94572
(510) 799-7934