The Way
Fishers of People
A single word dropped over empty nets
Story
On the shore of the lake of Gennesaret, two empty boats were pulled up at the water's edge. The fishermen, who had caught nothing all night, had stepped out and were washing their nets. As the crowd pressed in to hear the word, Jesus got into Simon's boat. He asked him to push out a little from the shore, then sat in the boat and taught the people on the beach.
When he had finished teaching, Jesus said to Simon, put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. Simon answered. Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. As the nets sank into the water, fish swarmed in until the nets were close to tearing. They waved to their partners in the other boat, and both boats were filled until they began to sink.
Simon Peter fell down at the knees of Jesus. Lord, go away from me. I am a sinful man. Jesus said, do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching people. Simon and Andrew, and James and John the sons of Zebedee, brought their boats to shore, left everything behind, and followed him.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Come, follow me. I will make you into people who fish for others.
Row out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.
Do not be afraid. From now on you will be bringing in people.
Lord, go away from me. I am a sinful man.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 4:18–22 · Mk 1:16–20 · Lk 5:1–11
Background
In 1986 a fishing boat about eight meters long was found in the mud on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Dated to around the time of Jesus, it gives a sense of the size of the boats fishermen used then.
Pause and Reflect
Where do I need to follow the Lord's word rather than my own experience and judgment?