Cast Out Your Nets

Scripture: Luke 5: 1-12

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and cast out the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”


Reaction: In today’s meditation, I had several different impressions and images. First was the idea of Jesus coming into my boat (my home, really) – the place where I spend my day-to-day existence following a somewhat mundane routine. Then He told me to cast out my net, which is not a typical activity for me. By this, He meant that I should open up myself to others, simply throwing out my experiences with prayer and spirituality for those who might be seeking a closer relationship with God. Those who are interested will swim into the net, and perhaps they too will be scooped up into our boat. I got the impression that I need not do anything extraordinary as I follow Christ’s lead, that just be willing to cast my net of fellowship a little wider would suffice. The phrase “Don’t be afraid”, present in so many other scriptures I’ve contemplated, brought me great comfort, reminding me that the Lord is always by my side. I again felt that I only need to take small steps as I witness to others, and that through it all, the Holy Spirit will be there to guide me into deeper waters and to keep me from sinking.