GOING INTO THE DEEP (A STORY ON LUKE 5:1-11)

       What exactly led to the first disciples leaving everything to follow Jesus? How did they become fishers of men? Whatever led to the momentum of that decision? Let’s have a look!

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The sun, hung far into the sky, shone with the intensity as if it were a storey away. The howling of the wind sounded like mockery in Simon’s ears as he pulled the boat to shore with Andrew, his brother.

“Guy, not even one fish.” Simon lamented, running his hand through his hair.

Andrew hissed, “There’s still next time.”

“Notwithstanding! Silas has booked for 20 fishes now, how do we explain to him? And that’s just one of our customers. The taxes we have to pay keeps mounting? Not to mention money for the family’s upkeep?”

Andrew said nothing as he began pulling the net out from the boat.

“Andrew…”

“You know how the net get spoilt when not washed,” Andrew said sounding strong but Simon could see his drooped shoulders and lowered chin. Catching Fish was what made one a fisherman. How could they still call themselves Fishermen?

Trying not to drown in his sorrows, Simon joined his brother in pulling out the net and taking it away to wash. After about an hour into the washing, Simon felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Look, that strange Nazarene who healed your wife’s mother just entered your boat,” Andrew said, pointing in the direction of Simon’s boat.

“The preacher? I’m coming.” Simon replied as he dried his hands on his clothes and walked to Jesus, the Nazarene.

“Master-“

“Simon, the people are many. I need you to help me push the boat a little into the water so they can hear me better.”

“Okay sir”, Simon replied then did what the Nazarene wanted. He stood and tried to listen to the man Jesus as he preached. He was a strange man indeed but even as much as Simon tried to pay attention, his mind kept wandering to his fruitless toil of the night. The more he thought of it, the more his heart sunk lower.

” Simon.”

His head shot up when he heard his name and he realized the preacher was done. “Master.” He said and moved towards him.

“I want you to take your boat deeper into the water, let down your net and you would catch a lot of fish.”

How did he…? Simon was shocked and his eyes locked with Andrew, who still stood with the net, then back to the preacher.

“We’ve been fishing all night Master. We have moved around the sea, even where the water is deepest-“

Jesus placed his hand on Simon’s shoulder and he stopped talking. Jesus said nothing and kept staring at him with confidence.

Simon’s lips quivered, “Master…if you insist, we’ll go out again and let down our net…because of your word.”

Stepping aside, Simon went and told Andrew who after listening, looked at him skeptically, but agreed to follow. Taking the net, they went back to the boat and got in with Jesus.

The crowd were watching as they took the boat deeper into the sea and with every distance covered, Simon grew more worried and took sneak peeks at the Nazarene with them. If nothing happened, the preacher would be publicly disgraced and ashamed. As well, everyone would become aware of his incompetence.

“Simon?” Andrew called out. Sighing, Simon turned back to his brother who also understood the gravity of the situation.

Giving a nod of affirmation, the two brothers let down their net into the water, then held their breath. Nothing happened.

Moving the net around the water, they still felt nothing. Andrew shut his eyes and lowered his head while Simon tried not to look at Jesus, who, even seeing the situation, said nothing. It was all crazy from the start. They fished in the night because the fishes could see the net during the day and avoid it. Then a strange man told them to do what was rarely ever done and they had been foolish to listen!

“Let’s get out of here,” Andrew said and began pulling the net in anger. Simon turned away, burying his face in his palm.

“SIMON!!!” Simon looked up to see Andrew pulling at the net like a mad man. He looked at Jesus with shock all over his face then back to his brother, Simon.

“The net! I can’t move the net!! I can’t move the net!!!” Andrew cried out.

 Bewildered at his brother’s reaction, Simon dragged the other side of the net and found out the same thing.  The brothers looked at each other in shock. Slowly their eyes widened, then they yelled out in joy. After realizing that the net was close to breaking, they signalled their partners who had been inspecting the scene, James and John Zebedee for help.

With more manpower, they were finally able to pull the net out from the water. The huge catch of fish was breathtaking. They filled both boats completely with fishes until the boats began to sink.

Simon, amazed at what he saw, fell on his knees before Jesus and cried out, “Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!”

Astonished, James, John and Andrew stood and looked at Jesus with silent wonder and respect. This was not an ordinary man in their midst, would he strike them dead?

Jesus looked at every one of them then smiled. “Do not be afraid. Follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men.”

The boats were still sinking so the fishermen hurriedly moved them to shore. But while they did, they brooded on the proposition of the Nazarene.

When they got to shore, decidedly, they left everything and followed Jesus.

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 Isn’t it like God to blow our minds? Someone once said that “God gives us instructions and our obedience is an excuse for Him to bless us.” Imagine if Simon Peter chose to stick with the facts and not go out in blind obedience?

I was awestruck whilst considering Luke 5:1-11, Jesus didn’t leave the boat after giving the instruction! Follow this, He chose us and in the course of our journey on earth, gives us instructions but, but, but, never ever leaves us to ourselves. He may seem silent but He promised never to leave us or forsake us and Hallelujah, He meant it!

In life, we all follow someone or something. Our opinions, our feelings, religion, and the likes. It takes a great amount of faith to decide to leave everything and follow Jesus. This amount of faith though great is as tiny as a mustard seed. JUST BELIEVE!

What lessons have you learnt from this story? I’ll be glad to hear from you in the comment section!

Remain Blessed!