“Come follow me“, Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19, 20
Simon and Andrew had certainly heard about Jesus. They may very well have been followers of John the Baptist. Whatever their prior relationship to John and Jesus, there came a point in time when they could no longer hesitate. “At once they left their nets and followed him.”
I wonder how many times during the next three years they thought longingly about those nets? Nets represented family and friendships, security, a place in society where their livelihood was accepted and necessary. Now they traveled with an itinerant rabbi who was frequently the object of scorn and skepticism, supported by a group of women, never knowing where they would find rest for the coming night. Was it worth it?
We know that the nets provided a welcome haven for Peter after the hope-shattering death of Jesus. Even though Jesus had appeared to the disciples, we sense that Peter was questioning his earlier decision to follow. We read that Peter, along with six other disciples, decided to go back to their nets, at least temporarily. They climb into the boat (had Peter kept it in dry dock just in case??) and cast out onto the familiar Sea of Galilee.
Jesus, out of love and with a faith in Peter that he did not have in himself, reveals himself in a very special way back on the beach. Peter and Jesus have a long and very serious conversation at the end of which Peter somehow senses that it is time to leave the nets forever.
Madeleine LâEngle writes words that could easily have come from the lips of Peter. Or from my lips.
Sometimes in the groping dark of my not knowing
I am exhausted with the struggle to believe in you, O God.
Your ways are not our ways. Your ways are extraordinary.
Father, thank you for giving us the privilege of leaving our nets, even when we question like Peter. You have a graciously promised to never leave us even when we grope in the dark of not knowing.
By Marilyn Ehle
If you don’t know Jesus in a personal way you can begin a relationship with him today. The first step is a prayer telling him you believe He is who He says He is and a second step is surrendering control of your will and life to him. These can be communicated in a simple prayer (prayer is talking to God):
“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”
If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, then you can pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.
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