Scripture:
Luke 5:1-11 (WEBBE)
“Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.”
Reflection:
This passage is a powerful account of Jesus calling His first disciples and their response to His invitation. The story begins with Jesus teaching by the lake of Gennesaret, where He sees Simon Peter and his companions, exhausted from a fruitless night of fishing. Jesus steps into Simon’s boat and asks him to put out into the deep water and let down the nets once more.
Simon’s response is a mixture of exhaustion and faith. Despite having caught nothing all night, he says, “Master, we worked all night and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” This simple act of obedience leads to an overwhelming blessing—a miraculous catch of fish so large that their nets begin to break, and they need help from another boat to bring in the haul.
The abundance of fish is more than just a miracle; it is a revelation of Jesus’ power and a call to a new life. Simon Peter, overwhelmed by the miracle and aware of his own unworthiness, falls at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” But Jesus does not turn away. Instead, He reassures Simon and gives him a new mission: “From now on you will be catching people alive.”
This encounter with Jesus transforms Simon Peter and his companions, James and John. They leave everything—their boats, their nets, their livelihoods—and follow Jesus. The miracle of the fish was not just about abundance; it was about the call to discipleship, a call to leave behind the old life and follow Jesus into a new purpose.
In our own lives, Jesus calls us to follow Him, often in ways that require us to step out in faith and trust Him, even when it doesn’t make sense. Like Simon Peter, we may feel unworthy or uncertain, but Jesus invites us to trust Him, to let down our nets in obedience, and to be open to the transformation He brings. When we respond to His call, we may find ourselves catching more than we ever imagined—both in blessings and in the people we bring to Him.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You. Help us to trust in Your word, even when it goes against our understanding or experience. Give us the faith to let down our nets in obedience, and the courage to leave behind whatever holds us back from fully following You. Transform our lives as we respond to Your call, and use us to bring others into Your Kingdom. In Your holy name, Amen.
Application:
- Reflect on areas of your life where Jesus is calling you to trust Him more deeply. How can you respond in faith, even if it challenges your comfort or understanding?
- Consider what “nets” you may need to leave behind in order to fully follow Jesus. What steps can you take to surrender these things to Him?
- Think about how you can participate in Jesus’ mission of “catching people alive.” How can you share His love and message with those around you?
Verse for Meditation:
“Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” (Luke 5:10, WEBBE)