Luke 5:9 “For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken.” (NIV)*

Luke 5:11 “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (NIV)*

Fishing boat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nothing had been caught all night. Then, He showed up and the nets began to break. The boats began sinking from the weight of the catch.

The weight of who Jesus was covered Simon Peter like a net. He fell at Jesus’s knees and asked Him to go away. His presence was more than Simon Peter could take. Jesus left him undone…aware of his sin.

Jesus didn’t leave. Instead, He called them to leave their nets and go with Him…no longer fishing for fish, but fishing for men.

Jesus had established credibility with these fishermen. He spoke their language. A mother lode of fish had done the trick. He had shown them He could provide, an important prerequisite for his call on their lives.

Kudos to Peter and his companions. They got the message. Jesus was someone they could trust and follow. He had their respect.

Jesus met the fishermen in their world. He served them. He showed concern for their welfare. He loved them. This fisherman was teaching them to fish for men.

Love, serve, and show sincere concern. Isn’t this, then, how to fish for men…as Jesus did?

*The One Year Bible, New International Version, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.