Faith and Fishing

Luke 5 records the story of Jesus calling Peter to become a “fisher of men”. Peter was by occupation a fisherman. He was the son of a fisherman and probably knew everything there was to know about fishing on a lake.

Peter and his crew had been fishing all night long and come up empty handed. Jesus (the carpenter), who had been teaching from Peter’s boat to a crowd of people on the bank, advised Peter to go out a little deeper and lower his nets.

Peter, having fished all night and having just cleaned those nets, replied (to the carpenter)… we fished all night and caught nothing but will do what you say. That’s the kind of language that suggests Peter didn’t really want to do it.

Peter caught the most fish he had ever caught before. He caught more fish than anyone could even make up a story about. He had so many fish that the nets began to break and his boats began to sink. It was a lot of fish.

Peter’s reaction? He fell down on his knees before Jesus and called him Lord and asked Jesus to leave because he was a sinful man. Peter fell on his knees another time also. When Jesus was transfigured and the voice of God proclaimed Jesus to be his Son. Long story short… Peter knew he was in the presence of deity and was afraid and humbled.

And then those immortal words… fear not, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

Peter could not have known what that meant until Jesus gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 16:18) and allowed him to open that wonderful door by proclaiming the Gospel message on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). On that day 3000 souls were baptized into the blood of Jesus Christ. The nets were breaking and the boats were sinking (figuratively) on that day’s great “catch”. Peter had become a “fisher of men”.

Jesus makes a lot of promises to us. Don’t ever under estimate Jesus and don’t ever be afraid. With just a little bit of faith he can bless you beyond your comprehension and expectations and make your house great. Just “follow” Jesus and see what happens.