Five-minute read.
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:1-11
People adored Jesus and marveled at His teachings, in awe of His actions. They couldn’t get enough of Him. Luke describes the crowd pressing in on the Teacher to hear God’s word from His Son. Making room for Himself, Jesus boarded Peter’s fishing boat, moving offshore far enough to have space to teach the people. Divine magnification allowed everyone to hear the words from Christ’s mouth, planting seeds in their hearts that changed them forever.
Finishing His talk, Jesus tells Peter to lower the fishing nets into the water. Hesitant, the disciple doubts the command, knowing their night-long efforts came to no avail. But Peter does what Jesus says, lowering the nets into the water. I can relate to the fisherman. I’ve often attempted things on my strength to no avail: repairing relationships, helping a friend, defeating a temptation. When nothing happens, I feel like a hamster running on a wheel, working hard but getting nowhere. Then I decided to do what Jesus said: pray, forgive, wait, trust, and suddenly, miracles began to happen, all by divine effort, not mine.
When Peter lowers the nets, fish flow into them, filling them and requiring assistance to keep them from sinking. Immediately, the tired fisherman fell to Jesus’s knees, confessing his sins. And with love, as Christ always does, He responds:
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (vs. 10)
What a moment to watch. Peter, humbled before His Savior, received a new direction. The fisherman had a new fish to catch that didn’t have scales. Transformation happens when you give your life to Christ. With different priorities, we change our objectives, seek Jesus for direction, and become fishers of people. Everyone we meet becomes a person to love for the Lord. Rescuing of Image Bearers, Tim Tebow called it when I heard him speak at an event. God made humans in His image, and we have a responsibility to share that news with people, helping them understand their value. From the baby in the womb to the disabled person on the street and the prisoner in jail, the Lord loves them all, and through Him, we can as well.
Let your nets down today, and see who the Lord brings into your life. Ask God for the divine tools you will need to love them for Him. Tap into the Savior’s strength and become fishers of people.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for divine guidance and for making us fishers of people. Let us fall humbly at Jesus’s feet, confessing our sins and experiencing His grace and mercy. Then, Lord, help us share what we receive with others.
IJNIP. Amen
