Fishing, God’s way

Devotional, week 12

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:1-11, NIV)

In the four gospels we can often read how Jesus operates outdoors. As a Jew he also regularly went to the synagogues and to the Temple, but here he often ended up in theological debates.  

At least three times Jesus brought His disciples on the journey from Jerusalem to Galilee. As they journeyed together, He used what they saw to illustrate His teaching.  

In Luke 5 we find Jesus close to home in Galilee. A large crowd has come together to receive words from God. Then He sees a boat with fishermen who have returned after the night’s work. They have caught nothing. Jesus asks if He can make use of the boat as He teaches, most likely because He wanted the sound of His voice to reach further. Many of us have experienced how well the waves of sound travel on a calm sea. As we read, Jesus asks the fishermen if He can make use of their work vessel.  

After the teaching was done, Jesus turns to the owner of the boat, Simon, and asks him to lower their nets again. Simon knew that this was against everything he had learned about fishing in the Sea of Galilee. The odds were small for catching fish in daylight. The fishermen were still obedient. Their night’s work had been fruitless. Thus, they could just as well make another try to satisfy this visitor from nearby.  

All the people who had listened to Jesus, were there as spectators. And then a miracle happens. The nets are so full of fish that there is enough for Simon and his crew as well as for other colleagues. The fishermen were filled with awe and a sense that they were on holy ground. They had experienced a great miracle in their workplace, a miracle relating to their work, done by a master who most likely did not know much about their profession.  

“Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man,” responds Simon. What sin did he have in mind? We cannot be sure. Maybe Simon felt that he had sinned because he had doubted that Jesus could do a miracle through his profession. Jesus meets this doubt and disbelief regarding what God can do with a calling: “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” The knowledge Peter has in catching fish will now be used to catch people – to catch their thoughts and minds.  

After this event, the whole fishing team got a new interest. Their minds were changed. They left everything to follow the Master. Jesus could change their everyday lives. He was a person worth following. Their vessel was left on the shore.  

Let’s pray! Lord, lead me to use my profession to spread Your truth among the nations!