Fishing in a different pond…

By Dean Collins

Luke gives us a few more details than the other gospel writers concerning Simon Peter’s decision to follow Jesus. At the end of Luke chapter 4, we learn that Jesus had already been in Simon’s home and had healed his mother-in-law. We do not know if it was a day or a few days later when Jesus and Simon Peter see each other again on the seashore.

Peter and the others had finished fishing. They had been out at 0-dark-30 which means it was in the dark and very early! Jesus noticed two boats by the lake that had been abandoned by the weary fishermen who were already cleaning their nets and thinking about a home-cooked meal and a nap.

Be obedient and you will be blessed

Jesus would have recognized Simon Peter because he had recently been in his home. It seems Jesus got in Peter’s boat and asked him to push out away from the land and, more importantly, from the crowd. Now with some breathing room, Jesus sat down and taught those on the shore about his Father’s kingdom. When he finished, he told Peter, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

We would have likely noticed Peter’s body language when he answered. Peter was in a bit of jam. He was grateful Jesus had healed his mother-in-law. And he was likely thinking that Jesus might be a good teacher, a healer of some sort, and trained as a carpenter; but that has nothing to do with fishing!

Peter of course added words to his shrug and told Jesus that he and his team had already fished all night in these same waters and caught nothing! But with some reservation, he told Jesus “at your word I will let down the nets.” That might translate to something like: Jesus you are about to see that I know what I am doing, but I feel obligated since you healed my wife’s mother!

It was still the same pond. It may or may not have been the exact territory that Peter had fished hours earlier. As quickly as they cast their nets, they saw the expanse of fish. There were so many that had you not seen the miracle, you would have never believed the fishing tale they would tell! Fortunately, Luke got reliable information and told us exactly what happened.

You’ve got to love Peter. Right or wrong, he was going to tell you how he felt about a situation. This time, the presence of Jesus was overwhelming; and Peter bowed down before Jesus confessing that he was a sinful man. This was not just a “you were right about the fish.” This was clearly that he realized that Jesus was right about all things. He was righteous. And in the presence of God in the flesh, Peter felt his sinfulness and owned it.

Jesus responded with kindness and clarity: “Do not be afraid.” And it was at that moment that Jesus told Peter he would be fishing in a different pond. There would be no net needed. Peter would be sharing the good news; and by the power of the Holy Spirit men, not fish, would be responding. Peter would be fishing for men.

When they got back to shore, the new disciples ran their boats onto the shore and walked away with a new job and new purpose.

There is a moment when each of us must consider if at the words of Jesus, we would be willing to shift our focus to the kingdom work of Jesus over and above anything else we might be trained to do. It may or may not mean giving up your paying job. But it will mean that what Jesus asks of us becomes central to all we do. Not for a moment but for a lifetime.

One way we might engage with Jesus and stay focused might be as simple as praying this one prayer: “At your word Lord, I will drop my nets wherever you tell me today. Lead me to the people I am to love, to listen to, and to share your life with today. In Jesus name, Amen”

I hear Jesus is pretty good at seeing where there is opportunity!

Your Time with God’s Word
Luke 5:1-11 ESV

Photo: Ziegler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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