A Right Fishy Story

If you are a fisherman or you have friends who are, you probably heard many an exaggerated fish story. When I was struck by lightning on the boundary waters of northern Minnesota in 1979, we gave the doctor who arrived at our campsite in answer to prayer the fish the boys caught as payment for his "tent call." We told him that he better make up a good fish story as to how he caught them because his people would never believe the truth. But in reality, people see through the tall tales but will believe the miracle story because, as they might say, "No one could invent such a wild story!"

Well, Peter has a great fish story of his own! The story is found in Luke 5:1-11. There we read, "So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat" (vv. 1-3).

I stood where this is believed to have taken place in the land of Israel. It was a natural amphitheater along the shore of the Sea of Galilee (same body of water as Gennesaret), not that Jesus needed one to be heard by thousands. You could stand by the shore, speak in a normal voice, and be clearly heard way up at the top of the hill!

As usual, large crowds followed Jesus everywhere. They came to hear Him preach and teach the word of God, as well as to be healed of their various ailments. For a little breathing room, Jesus asked Peter to "put out a little from the land" (v. 3a). He then "taught the multitudes from the boat" (v. 3b).

Then it happened! When He finished preaching, Jesus said to Peter, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" (v. 4). Peter was hesitant: "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (v. 5). Peter thought it would be a waste of time, but he would do as Jesus asked.

Regardless of what you think about what Jesus asks you to do, remember who He is, that He is the Son of God, the Savior, and do as He commands. Follow the word of His still small voice and you will not go wrong.

When they (Peter and likely his brother Andrew) cast their nets, "they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking" (v. 6). "So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats so that they began to sink" (v. 7). Wow! What a catch! It was beyond anything they had ever dreamt of.

Take note of Peter's response: "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!'" (v. 8). They were all "astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon" (vv. 9-10a).

And now the purpose for this miraculous catch of fish: "And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men'" (v. 10b). They are to become fishers of men! Jesus was calling them to join His disciples that very day and follow Him. If you will follow Jesus faithfully, you will learn to catch men and bring them into the kingdom of God.

"So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him" (v. 11). That word, "forsook," literally means, "left behind." In other words, they left everything behind to follow Jesus. They left their families, their homes, their possessions, their boats, their fishing business, all to serve Jesus as fishers of men.

We need to do the same. Leave everything and follow Jesus faithfully. If He leads you to foreign lands, go. If He leads you to foreign places in this country, go. If He leads you to fish for men right where you are, do it. Be faithful to Jesus and He will be faithful to you. Amen.