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...And Jesus Said to Simon, Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (Luke 5:11)
That morning Jesus was sitting in Simon Peter's boat, teaching a large crowd standing by the lake shore of Gennesaret (The Sea of Galilee). Simon and his brother Andrew had just returned from a long and unsuccessful night of fishing. Even though they were certainly frustrated and tired, they were busy washing, drying and mending their nets, getting ready to try again later that night. This is what hard working fisherman do.
Fishing in deep water in the morning was usually a waste of time, but Jesus encouraged these seasoned fishermen to try again; When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." (Luke 5:4-6)
To their amazement, Jesus caused a great quantity of fish to come into their nets. You see their fishing success this day was not dependent upon their experience, skill, or training. It was simply because they trusted and obeyed Jesus. Their faith and obedience was rewarded with a miraculous catch of fish. Of course, Jesus was teaching them and us a much greater truth about His plan of evangelism.
Salvation is the miraculous work of God. But, in His marvelous grace, He uses us in His work of evangelism. We are to be fishers of men, telling everyone who will listen the saving gospel truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. God does the catching and saving, but we, in faith and obedience, are to be continually casting our nets; "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men! Maranatha!
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