The Fisherman
Welcome
Prayer
Scripture Verse/Transition
Obituary
Brief Comment/Transition
Comments From Family (15 minutes)
Comments From Family
Sermon
Committal
The service at the grave is brief, consisting of the committal and a benediction. The benediction may consist of a prayer, a poem, or a formal closing. The minister should then step from the head of the grave and go down the line shaking hands with each member of the deceased’s family, quietly expressing his sympathy.
Poem
Obituary
Comments From The Family
Of Jesus’ first disciples, at least seven were fishermen-Peter
Final Instructions
At least seven of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen: Peter, Andrew, probably Philip, who also came from Bethsaida (Aram. for ‘house of fishing’) on the Sea of Galilee, James, John, Thomas and Nathanael (Mt. 4:18, 21; Jn. 1:44; 21:2). Some of these were partners in fishing and were used to working together (Lk. 5:7, 10).
Fish were a favorite food and a chief source of protein (Num. 11:5; Neh. 13:16).
Most fishing in the Bible was done using a net, though some was done with hooks and lines. For example, Jesus commands Peter to cast a hook (Matt 17:27). Harpoons are mentioned in Job 41:7.
Three types of nets were used in the ancient world:
• Small circular nets were cast from the shore into shallow water. The leaded edge of the net formed a cone, with the fisherman holding the center of the net in his hand.
• A long net, or seine, was cast into the water and dropped 1–2 fathoms. Ropes fastened to the ends were carried ashore, drawn in by 5–10 men on each rope.
• In deeper waters a similar net was dropped 4–5 fathoms deep. The ends were brought together to form a circle. Fishermen then dived down and brought one portion of the weighted edge under the rest. The net was then narrowed and the fish were emptied into the boat. Sometimes fishermen would tow the net into shallow water before drawing it up. The disciples probably used this method (Matt 4:18; Mark 1:16; Luke 5:2–10; John 21:3–11).
The Bible contains numerous figurative uses of fish and fishing. Human helplessness is compared to fish taken in a net (Eccles. 9:12; Hab. 1:14). Fish caught in a net symbolized God’s judgment (Ps. 66:11; Ezek. 32:3). Jesus mentioned fishing when He called disciples to be witnesses (Matt. 4:18–19). Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a net thrown into the sea and loaded with fish of many varieties (Matt. 13:47).
In early Christian churches the Greek word for fish (ichthus) came to be interpreted as a cipher for Jesus. The first letter of each of the Greek words for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” spell ichthus. We do not know when this cipher was first used; but once the identification was made, the fish became a standard Christian symbol.
Habakkuk described God’s people as helpless fish who would be captured by hooks (1:15) and nets. Amos 4:2 refers to the practice of ancient conquerors of leading captives with hooks through their lips. Such was the fate of Manasseh according to one interpretation (2 Chron. 33:11 NASB, NIV, TEV).
Jesus called disciples to become fishers of men (Mt. 4:19). The kingdom of heaven is likened to a drag-net (Mt. 13:47).
The fish was one of the earliest symbols of Christian art, because the letters of Gk. ichthys were taken as an acronym for Iēsous Christos Theou Hyios Sōtēr, ‘Jesus Christ, of God the Son, Saviour’ (see F. J. Dölger, ΙΧΘΥΣ, 1928).