They Left Their Nets and Followed Him

​Haiti, 2017


In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus Calls the First Disciples. “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'  Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

I don’t fish. At all. Never have. I’d rather ride in a boat, relax on a dock, or read a book by the sea. Please don’t ask me to bait a hook and cast a line. It’s just not who I am. I prefer watching others as they fish. I can get excited for Bob and the kids and be genuinely happy that THEY caught the fish. 
 
I've read this passage from Matthew many times. I understand the part about fishers of men. I imagine the Sea of Galilee and how I desperately wish to see it one day. I consider how much courage it took for the father to selflessly watch his sons go.  I marvel at the simple courage it took for those men to trust Jesus- completely.
 
All of these are intentional actions.
To look up.
To see Him.
To listen to Him.
To follow Him.
To become fishers of men.
 
Recently, I came across the passage in Matthew again. This time it stopped me in my tracks. Five powerful words got my attention:
 
Immediately, they left their nets.
 
Nets. I’ve learned over the years - the hard way-  that the more I struggle with my personal nets, the more I entangle myself. My pride takes over and it takes a lot to convince me to put one down. To let go and let God. To surrender.
 
Nets trap. They are sometimes strongly knitted with lies, memories of past failures, broken hearts, bitterness, or fear. Some nets have thorns buried within the webs of hurtful words that others weaved through it.  The more material used to build that net, the stronger it becomes.

Yet, these newly chosen disciples walked away from their nets immediately as they looked at Jesus.
 
Nets snare. I can eventually throw one down, but I also must avoid stepping back into it. If I’m not looking at Jesus, not praying my way through my days, or not reading His word, I stumble into a stupid net. Every single time, it will snatch my feet out from me, flip me upside down, stunned, and hanging on for dear life. Nets often hold my bad choices, mistakes, or regrets.
 
Then there are my safety nets. These are reassuring, easy, and predictable. These nets encourage me to be complacent, relaxed, and sheltered in comfortable routines and plans. Sometimes the net represents duties, obligations, and excuses so that my career, family, or lifestyle come before Him.

Every now and then, I need to put down the literal net- the internet. I should take time off from social media, emails, or online shopping for sales. To look up from my phone.
To be still and know that He is God.  
To make time for moments of reflection.
To recognize when I am being called.

Jesus called these two disciples away from working with their father. They left their networks of friends and family to follow Him because they recognized the calling.
 
Just like He asked the disciples to follow Him, Jesus will ask me to leave the nets that separate me from His will.
 
Jesus will ask me to cast aside entanglements that distract me from looking up to see new possibilities in front of me. 
 
Jesus will ask me to boldly step around snares that will trap and keep me from His plans for me so that I can do more than simply watch others as they fish for HIm.

So I pray: 
Call me, Jesus.
Give me strength, wisdom, and courage to look up and leave any net immediately to follow you.
​I’m ready to go fishing.
Amen.

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