Jesus obviously knew a great deal about the Scriptures, demons, and healing people, but apparently, he didn’t know much about fishing. Simon, James, and John along with their fishing crews had been fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and hadn’t caught anything. Jesus tells Simon to launch out into the deep and let down their nets for a catch. If Jesus knew anything about fishing in that region and with the sorts of nets with which they fished, he would know that you only use these nets at night. The nets were made from linen and were bright in the daylight hours. Fish could see and avoid them. This is why the fishermen fished at night and washed their nets in the morning (Luke 5.1ff.).
“Nevertheless, at your word I will let down the nets,” Simon faithfully acquiesces. None of the conditions were right. All Simon and his crew had to go on was Jesus’ word of command. In that command was the tacit promise that the venture would be a success.
And it was. Not only was Simon’s boat filled up with fish, but the other boat of his business partners was as well; so much so that both of them began to sink.
This entire prophetic action is parabolic. Jesus has come to fulfill the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel who both prophesied concerning a future age when God would create a river flowing from his temple that would flow to the Dead Sea, creating abundant, teeming life in it and wherever else it flowed. He would call fishermen to catch the fish from these waters (cf. Jer 16; Ezek 47). God promised to gather the nations to himself. Jesus is inaugurating this international fishing expedition, calling the first of the anglers on that day on the Sea of Galilee.
On that day, just as in our day, there are times when we wonder if Jesus knows what he is talking about when he commands us to “Disciple the nations,” our version of “Letting down our nets for a catch.” He obviously is unaware of our present cultural situations in the West. People aren’t receptive to the gospel. In fact, they are hostile to it. The big cultural players mock gospel righteousness. Maybe it is time to bring in the nets, go to shore, and spend the day washing them while we wait for the next opportune time.
Our experience, like Simon’s, tells us that Jesus’ command doesn’t fit our situation. However, following Simon’s example, we fish by faith and not by sight. At Jesus’ word we continue to launch out into the deep and let down our nets for a catch. We continue to proclaim the gospel in word and deed through many of living quiet and peaceful lives and some of us challenging the cultural powers publicly. We disciple our children day-in and day-out, seeking to capture their hearts with love for Jesus. We extend hospitality in various ways to our neighbors, embodying the love of Christ. We worship week after week, praying that God will make all of our efforts fruitful. We do all of these things because our Lord said to do them.
As Simon learned quite dramatically on the Sea that day, the word of Jesus will not fail. What he commands he promises. When he tells us to let down our nets for a catch, we will catch fish. When he tells us to disciple the nations, the nations will be discipled. The word that said, “Let there be light” is the same word that said “Disciple the nations.” As the darkness was driven back on that first day of history, so the word of Jesus will accomplish the discipling of the nations through those of us he has called to be his fishing company.
Discouragement in our mission is common. We “work all night” not seeing immediate results. The children we are discipling still have sin problems. People in the community are still not responding to the gospel. We wonder if it is all worth it. I encourage you to continue to fish at Jesus’ word. To riff on what Paul wrote to the Galatians, do not grow weary in your fishing, for in due season you shall catch if you do not faint.
