Real Hope: Hope in the Life of PeterSample

Leaving Our Nets For Jesus

What a day when Jesus walked into Peter’s world to share a miraculous lesson and grant a life-changing invitation! Peter and his brother Andrew had been out all night on the lake, having given their all with nothing to show for it. Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat and challenged the fisherman, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch’ (Luke 5:4b). Peter initially balked, declaring it a waste of time since it was now daylight and the fish could see and avoid the nets, but he further replied, ‘… nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net’ (Luke 5:5 NKJV).

In following Jesus’ directive, Peter and Andrew’s net became so full of fish it almost broke. In this moment Peter grasped the emptiness of the works of his own hands and that his well-mended nets alone could not save him. Peter knew he was as personally empty as his nets had been (Luke 5:8). But Jesus was not deterred. He was there to fill Peter’s life and that of his companions' with another assignment – to follow Him and become fishers of men.

Jesus had just shown Peter that he didn’t need those nets; what he needed was Him! ‘And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”’ (Luke 5:10b ESV). From that moment on, Peter left his nets and his world and handed over his past, present, and future to the One beckoning him on the shore – Jesus.

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN