Fishers of Men

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:11 (NIV)

Jesus is teaching the people near the lake.  He sees some boats and asks to use one to preach from.  The fishermen oblige.  After Jesus is done talking to the people He asks Peter to take his boat out a little and let down the nets.  What was it that must have moved within this simple fisherman´s heart?  Was it the words He had heard the Savior use?  Could it have been the good message of the nearness of God and His Kingdom?  Was there a mysterious Spirit stirring him as Jesus spoke to him?  Was there some emptiness or questioning in his own heart which responded to the invitation of the Lord?  Whatever it was, did Peter display a simple yet strong faith when he responded?

What good it will do?  He has been working long and hard through the dark night with no success.  But because Jesus is asking him to try, he agrees to do it.  He is moved to action.  Then what happens?  From his response to the words of Christ, his nets are filled to overflowing.  He cannot pull the catch in by himself.  What for him had been an empty sea of frustration and disappointment becomes a bountiful reward.  At the call of Jesus everything has changed!  Is the miracle that the men experience now merely a physical one?  In fear Peter realizes his own frail worth.  He sees his own insufficiency in the light of the One in Who´s Presence He is found.  And what does Jesus say?  “Do not be afraid!”  In the heart of Peter there is no turning back.  He has seen enough!  His Savior invites him and he will follow.  His heart is now devoted to the One who has shown him so much.

Peter, James and John leave their success and their lives there on the shore.  Once simple fishermen, they are changed in an instant.  Their lives will never be the same again.  They have experienced Jesus.  They turn to follow Him.  Their lives now hold higher goals?  The direction is set to a higher motive.  No longer do they need to catch what they need to live on.  Their heart has found new life.  Their hearts live to follow Christ.  They are now Disciples of Jesus.  They are to become fishers of men.  Instead of throwing out nets to fill the business needs, they will cast out nets to bring men unto the Lord.  Do they even realize the size of the decision they just made?  Could they even guess at how they would survive?  Or are they merely acting out on what their hearts tell them they need.  Do they only know they need to remain with the One who has touched them this deeply?  Can we marvel at their faith?  Can we find encouragement for our lives too?  Would turning from our pursuits to seek and to follow Jesus be something eternally beneficial to us today as well?  Has something stirred that deeply within our hearts?  Has Jesus spoken to us too?

Those simple fishermen went on to learn more of Jesus.  They followed Him wherever He went.  After Jesus had paid for our separation from God, was it them who continued spreading the Word of salvation to the world?  From their low beginning did they rise to important positions in the history of our race?  Could we imitate their simple faith?  Could we be moved by what we find in Jesus?  Could we step out of our pursuits and look to Jesus too?  Would it change our lives?  Would the world be a different place if we did?

Dear Jesus, you called simple men to follow You.  Are You calling us today too?  Would You fill our nets if we followed Your call?  What will our prize be?  Worldly gain?  Or will we be eternally rewarded by the chance to follow You?  Touch us today with Your Word.  Let us know what You would tell us today.

Amen