Fishing For Men – Expedition Three

So far, Jesus has gone fishing at the synagogue and at Peter’s house. Where will he go next? One outreach was planned, the other spontaneous. What kind of moment will follow? When we left Jesus yesterday, under the direction of his Father, he had departed with his disciples (or at least most of them) for the surrounding villages to train his young team and go fishing for people. Today, the Master is fishing in the marketplace. Take a look.

Questions from your reading

• Where is Jesus fishing?
• What are some of the different emotions Jesus' disciples were experiencing?
• Verse 8 says, “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees...” What was “this”?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Jesus begins moving around the Sea of Galilee—more of a large lake than an actual sea—continuing to provide his young team with on-the-job training in becoming fishers of people. He and the disciples arrive early in the morning at the port town of Gennesaret, on the western bank of the Sea of Galilee just southwest of Capernaum. People also begin to arrive to buy fish for the day. Without refrigeration, food had to be purchased fresh each morning from the fishermen as they returned from a night on the water.

Jesus sees the opportunity and begins his next training session—an open-air outreach event. Notice his strategy. He doesn’t try to gather a large crowd. He simply goes where the people already are. He knew they’d be gathered at the water’s edge. He uses the moment and location to fish in his own way and teach his disciples while doing it.

As Jesus teaches, the crowd presses in to touch him. He keeps backing up until he’s knee-deep in water. Realising he needs help, he looks around—and who does he see? Peter.

Now wait a minute—shouldn’t Peter already be with him? Evidently not. Peter must have returned to fishing for fish. Perhaps he hadn’t left with the others after Jesus shut down the outreach in his hometown. Perhaps he was wrestling with what it really meant to leave everything and follow. After all, Peter had a wife, perhaps children, a mother-in-law, a house and a fishing business. He was older and had more to give up. This outreach moment sheds light on that tension.

Jesus climbs into Peter’s boat, and they push out a little from shore while he continues teaching. The people had come to buy fish, but there were none to be found. Peter's frustrated words make that clear: “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything!” Peter might have been thinking, “I’m the fisherman, Jesus—you’re a carpenter. If I couldn’t catch anything last night, there probably aren't any fish to be caught.” Still, he obeys and pushes further out, dropping the nets—maybe to prove his point.

Now imagine the beach scene as people watch Peter drop his nets in broad daylight—and fish start jumping everywhere. Onlookers are stunned: “I can’t believe it—Jesus really must be the Messiah.”

Back in the boat, Peter falls at Jesus’ knees—literally knee-deep in fish—and cries out, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (v. 8). Jesus reassures him: “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will fish for people.” He gives Peter a second chance, and this time Peter takes it—leaving everything to follow him.

What happened to all the fish they caught and left behind (v. 11)? Could Jesus have been showing Peter that he is more than capable of providing for his family’s needs? Could this be a personal sign that Jesus truly is Jehovah-Jireh—the great provider?

Applying what you’ve read

What does it really mean to leave everything and follow Jesus?

Later, in John 21—after the resurrection—we find Peter fishing again. It will be the last time. Jesus meets him there and repeats the same miracle to remind Peter: he is Lord, and he will provide. Peter had struggled to believe that Jesus was Lord of all. So Jesus speaks to him in a language he understands—through fish. He shows him what Peter cannot do, and what Jesus can do with ease. He provides, abundantly.

Peter’s step of faith that day changed everything.

Find a friend today and talk about what keeps people from leaving everything to follow Jesus. Then, with your small group, keep praying and planning your fishing expedition. Lock in a date and place. Remember—you can fish in a marketplace, a home, or a church. The key isn’t the location. It’s simply this: step into the harvest and start. This weekend could be the moment. You don’t need a big plan—just a faithful first step.