Net Bustin' Haul

The Gospel, St. Luke 5.1. Taken from pages 225-226 of the book of Common Prayer Canada

It came to pass that as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, Jesus stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake; but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land: and he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. and they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken; and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not, from hence forth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. 

Let us see together, this miraculous scene, dear reader. 

Jesus has so many people wanting to hear the word of God, that he is being "pressed upon". In modern day imagery, imagine a celebrity thronged by crowds and needing space between them and their wonton fans. Jesus is being followed because people are hungry for want he has to feed them ... celebrities will always leave fans with an empty feeling, because a mere human, cannot satisfy what the soul craves. Jesus was not done teaching, so he decides to go onto one of two near-by empty ships. 

It is morning, and the fishermen have been out all night trying to catch fish; alas, their efforts go unrewarded, and they were left with the work of cleaning their nets. While on the ship, Jesus asks Simon the boat owner, to push off from shore so he can continue to preach to the people. 

• Did you notice from the scripture above, that Jesus sits down? 
• Did you also think to yourself, how could the people possibly hear him while he was afloat on the sea of Galilee? 
• Did Jesus use a booming voice? 

I am not sure how all this worked together to make for a good sermon that people received, all I know is it is apropos, for God incarnate to be followed, to have throngs hang on his every word, and for him to sit as King of kings, and speak life to the crowd. 

Jesus is done speaking. Dear reader, he "left speaking" ... that is it, all she wrote. He stops communicating with the masses and turns to the recently unsuccessful fisherman, named Simon. There isn't a request, there is a command, from Jesus to Simon. Launch out into the deep, and drop those nets of yours for a draught, meaning a haul, a weight of fishes! Incredulous, Simon points out what was already obvious, that he and his partners had pulled an empty all nighter, but okay then, If you say so Jesus, I will do it, I will let down those nets again.

The nets drop, and the fish can't help but hurl themselves as a "multitude" into them. The net strains and brakes, and Simon resorts to calling to his partners, Hey, fellas, we need your help over here with this haul: the partners comply, and those ships got so full of fish that they both began to sink. 

• How would you feel at this point, dear reader, if you were Simon, one of his partners, or even someone lingering and loitering on the sea shore, observing this astounding event?

Simon, seeing what was happening, fell at Jesus' knees, and asked Jesus to leave him, because he felt the weight of his sinfulness while looking toward this man/God that spoke of a great haul, a draught of fish, and it came to pass. What Simon and his partners as professional fishermen could not accomplish all night, Jesus commanded and realized in a matter of minutes. Everyone was astonished that witnessed this miracle, and the names of Simon's partners are listed here, James and John, sons of Zebedee, to let us know who, that day, was added to the short list that became part of the apostle posse. There were others there, but these were the called, namely: Simon, James and his brother John. 

Jesus acknowledges Simon's astonishment; Jesus sees Simon's fear and heard the suggestion that he is too sinful to be in the presence of the Lord. Jesus soothes Simon, comforts him with the words, Fear not ... but this is not all. Jesus with certainty, tells Simon that from now on, he will catch men. Now dear reader, the most delightful part of this story is the last sentence! 

After the draught, the haul, the sinking ship weight of such a multitude of fish, these men bank their boats, without cashing in on any of their catch, and they follow HIM.

They "forsook all" ... 

• Do you think they ever ate fish again?
• Do you suppose they went hungry, after giving up their profession?
• What about regret? After leaving their boats, nets, and livelihood behind, do you believe they wish they hadn't? 
• What would you have done in the same situation? 
• What are you willing to forsake now, to become a fisher of men?

I confess that years ago I forsook all when I professed, I love Jesus more than anything and anyone. It came from my mouth without forethought, and I have absolutely no regrets: I continue to eat fish and other foods, and my life is richer for following the Saviour of my soul. My professions (my work) match my profession of faith: I love people to Jesus with coaching, personal training, my writing, my prayers. I too, am a fisher of men, and I pray, that you trust Jesus for your provision; you trust Jesus when he commands you to do his will; you trust him as your Lord and leader. 

I pray, you put all you have in his more than capable commanding hands, and live a life worthy of being called a Christ follower.