WATCHWORD:
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:4-11
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:18-19
Meditation:
Fish or Cut Bait?
Understand what is going on here. The city of Capernaum is at your back and the expanse of the often rough and unpredictable Sea of Galilee stretch out before you. A crowd has formed, listening to Jesus who is trying hard to be heard. Then, He steps from the beach into the boat of a fisherman, and finds he can be heard better from 20 yards out.
You are in the boat with Peter, and Jesus is right there with you. Over the past few months, you and Peter, and others, have been gathering at Jesus’ home listening to him so you are familiar with Him and you know His message.
You and Peter had been out fishing all night long and had caught nothing in your nets. You’re both exhausted and discouraged. Jesus smiles at you, and tells you to go into deeper water, and put down your nets for a catch. Your experience tells you that nothing will come of this attempt. After all, Jesus is not a fisherman and you’re not having happy thoughts that this carpenter is suggesting you put your nets back out. But you and Peter comply, and the results are surprising and nearly disastrous.
This whole scene is very warmhearted and picturesque, with a calm Sea and with all the crowds there. They must’ve been taken by his words and the message and felt at peace listening to Him. What about you? When you are in prayer with the Lord, do you have a sense of familiarity and calmness? I find that often to be true my time alone with Him.
But look at Peter’s response with his boat filled and nearly swamped with fish. “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” To which Jesus responds by telling him to relax, to be at ease, “From now on you’ll be fishing for people! This is the beginning of His, “Come follow me,” invitation.
We are in that boat that is our life with Jesus. He’s telling you and me, as He told Peter, we have other work to do. From this side of the Resurrection, we know the work that He has for us, work that begins with that troublesome commandment, Love others as I have loved. From that one Commandment flow all the tasks that lay before us as His disciples, the remainder of our lives. Are we up for it? Are you ready to put out your nets for a catch?
Can you hear the Holy Spirit within tell you, “You can do all this through Christ who will give you the strength you need.”? Our task is the same as that assigned to Peter, we are fishing for people, reaching out to people, lifting them up, enriching their lives with the food from Heaven, The Word. Amen.
A Little Humor for Tuesday:
God was talking to one of his angels. I just figured out how to rotate the earth so it creates this really incredible 24-hour period of alternating light and darkness. The Angel said, “What are you going to do now?” God says, “Call it a day!”
Here is one for you old farmers out there — The farmer was milking his cow and a bug flew into the cow’s ear. A moment later the bug squirted out into the milk bucket. Yep. In one ear and out the udder.
I know, very little humor.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, You tell me, as You told Peter, put out into deeper water, take risks. You are ready to surprise us with the depths I can find in myself, with the work You can do through me. Save me from my hesitation, from my complacency, from settling for a routine existence. Opened me, Lord, to recognize Your hand in my daily life, in my daily encounters. Lord, You call me daily to an adventure of faith with You. You are captain of this boat which is the life You have given me. I am Your crew. Grant me the courage to take those risks, knowing that You are always with me. Thank You Lord. Amen.
