“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4b NKJV
Have you ever gone fishing? Today we have fishing poles, but in Jesus’s day, fisherman used nets. As their main income and food source, a bulging net of wiggling beauties was every fisherman’s hope. Let’s see how Jesus used this industry to teach a kingdom principle we can apply to our lives today.
In the beginning…
Jesus began His ministry by speaking to crowds even before He had called His disciples. One day at the Lake of Gennesaret, the people pressed around Him, yearning to hear the word of God. Jesus saw two fishing boats tied up at the shore, so He got into one and asked a fisherman, Simon, to push the boat out a little from the land. This became a pulpit from where He taught the multitudes.
Obedience became the catalyst for a miracle…
After Jesus had finished speaking, He made a strange request of Simon, who sat in the adjoining boat. “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4b). Simon, along with other fishermen, had toiled all night without catching a single fish. Although weary, he agreed to do so at the Lord’s bidding.
“And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.“
Luke 5:6-7 NKJV
The astounding result…
When both boats began to sink under the weight of hundreds of fish, Simon Peter fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (v.8). Jesus replied, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men” (v.10).
The two brothers, James and John, were amazed at such a miracle. As soon as their boats reached land, they left everything behind and followed the Lord. Thus, Jesus had tapped three men to become His first disciples.
How does this same principle apply to us?
When Jesus enters our lives, everything changes! God performed a miracle at the cross where He took our sin and placed it on Jesus, the only One who could pay the price with His sinless blood. May we fall on our knees and thank Him for offering us His righteousness and the priceless gift of salvation.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
But it doesn’t stop there–He also makes us fishers of men and gives us power through the Holy Spirit to witness to the lost.
“‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'”
Acts 1:8 NKJV
As we are living in the last days before Jesus’s return, how important it is to witness to the lost! These are crucial days, and the time is short. As Jesus said, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest‘ (Luke 10:2 NKJV). Many people are still waiting to hear the good news of the gospel. As believers, we are called to to spread the gospel in our own spheres, wherever we are planted.
Today Jesus is calling us to launch out into the deep. Are you willing to let down your net for a catch?
Dear Heavenly Father, let us not fear, but give us boldness to take the good news of the gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth. May our nets overflow with saved souls for Your kingdom. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
I can remember as a young teen, learning to use a cast net on the shores of Lake Cristina. It’s been many years ago now, but if my shoulders will cooperate, I could probably get the hang of it again. It’s like grooving a golf swing or riding a bicycle. And as I’m learning quite recently from watching my wife, learning calligraphy. It’s all about “muscle memory.” Loved your post Ms. Karen, as you’re teaching us to strengthen and develop our spiritual muscles. God’s blessings ma’am; and thank you for this inspiring post.
That’s a great analogy, J.D. Spiritual muscle memory is also developed with practice and repetition, isn’t it? Love it! Thanks for reading and commenting. Wishing you and Ms. Diane a blessed week.
Thank you for s great post and we are to be fishers of men.
I’ve never been fishing but they will never prevent me from sharing my faith. The Lord has given me pure joy and something I’d love others to feel. It’s a real sense of purpose..
I do believe that we are in our last days on earth. What a blessing it will be to meet so many people who are now part of my family. On the other hand, it pains me to know that many of my family members will not be caught up in the sky.
It’s a blessing to be able to call you my sister.
I agree, Sandra, and I am glad that we are sisters for eternity. It also deeply saddens me that so many are lost and will be left behind at the Rapture. Let’s keep praying that the Holy Spirit will pierce their hearts unto salvation. Keep casting our nets. We never know whom we might catch for the kingdom. Blessings, sister! ❤️
What an inspiring message! Thank you Karen. I pray that today and everyday I will be ready to share the gospel with others. Through our words and actions, we have the opportunity to bring others closer to Him.
I agree, Mimi. We never know who the Lord is bringing onto our path who is ripe for the harvest. May we be ready in every season to share the gospel. Love and hugs, dear friend. ❤️🙏🏻