Simon may have initially obeyed Jesus only because he had been listening to Jesus teach the people and was curious about Him. Simon was washing his nets; likely feeling discouraged at his hard work without results and was possibly trying to formulate a “Plan B” after not catching anything all night. Perhaps this wasn’t the first time he’d worked hard and still fallen short of his goal. Perhaps he was questioning his skill as a fisherman. It is likely he felt emotionally and physically exhausted. Then, from the edge of consciousness, he realized this teacher-Jesus- had gotten into his boat. Looking up from his work, Simon heard the Teacher ask if he would pull away from shore. Perhaps Simon knew of Jesus, perhaps he simply couldn’t refuse the kindness in the eyes that seemed to know his thoughts. Perhaps going back out in the boat was the last thing he wanted to do.
Regardless, go back out in the boat was exactly what he did. As Jesus continued to teach, Simon found the weight of the past night easing from his shoulders. The warmth of the sun and the newness of the day surprised him with a hope he hadn’t felt in hours, days. He couldn’t recall how long it had been since he viewed the morning with promise rather than fatigue.
How much time had passed since he pulled up that last empty net? The only marker of time was the cadence of the Teacher. Simon had never heard anyone like this man in his boat. His voice was kind and yet filled with the strength and certainty of creation. His eyes challenged you and yet there was nothing threatening in the way He seemed to know your soul.
Simon never hesitated to speak his mind; often his mouth was open before he knew his own mind and yet he didn’t scoff when Jesus told him to move to deeper waters and pull up a catch. Instead, Simon found himself admitting his failure and his simultaneous faith in this Teacher.
To Simon’s amazement, as soon as he had followed the direction of Jesus, the biggest catch of his life appeared before his eyes. The weight of the fish jerked him forward, and Simon was not a weak man. Yelling to his fishing partners in the other boat, Simon struggled to keep from losing his nets, which were straining under the weight of the fish. His friends were in shock- what was going on? They rushed to help Simon claim his amazing catch as the nets were beginning to break. Before them, they saw 2 boats brimming with frantic life- the sight, the sound was unlike anything they’d ever seen. They’d been fishing their entire lives, it was all they knew, and yet seeing their boats begin to sink under the weight of so many fish was unlike anything they’d ever experienced- what was going on?
As his friends slapped each other on the backs, Simon was humbled by the truth. His skill didn’t find these fish, his strength didn’t pull them out of the sea. He had done nothing to earn or even deserve such bounty. Before he knew it, Simon fell at the feet of Jesus. He felt unworthy to have such power, such authority, such kindness in his boat. Every mistake he’d made, every impulsive and unkind action, every harsh word seemed to envelop him. Yet Simon still felt drawn to Jesus. When he heard that kind voice telling him to not be afraid, the strength and authority of Jesus erased all uncertainty. Simon raised his eyes and the love and grace flowing from the face of Jesus captivated him. Jesus didn’t even have to ask; Simon would follow Him anywhere. He had no idea what Jesus meant by “catching men”, but after the events of the morning, Simon couldn’t imagine anything being the same.
He looked around and realized his friends felt the same. Without hesitation, without discussion, they knew what to do. The fishermen returned to the shore and did something that would’ve seemed unthinkable just a few hours ago. They turned their backs on the biggest catch of fish they’d ever witnessed, to begin the journey to having bigger lives than they ever imagined.
Are we willing to do the same, to see our blessings as being beyond our own ability and our own efforts? Are we willing to trust Jesus with our lives? Of course it isn’t difficult for Jesus to give us everything- and He longs to do just that. Yet we must never forget Who sits in our boat, longing for us to turn from what we think we want to the One who simply wants us to allow Him to teach us to use our talents for His kingdom. Jesus didn’t tell Simon he’d become a preacher. Jesus simply helped Simon become a better fisherman, one who would impact eternity.
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