Embracing the Call: Casting Your Net with Jesus

In the Lake of Gennesaret, Jesus started calling His first disciples Simon, Andrew, James, and John who were fishermen. Recorded in Luke 5:1–11, Jesus not only recorded a miraculous catch of fish but also exhibited the essence of becoming His disciple towards ordinary fishermen. 

"Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

What is a disciple? 

A disciple is someone who wholeheartedly follows and learns from their mentor, embracing their teachings and values. When it comes to being a disciple of Jesus, it's about embarking on a transformative journey of learning, growth, and selfless service to others.

Yet, discipleship comes at a cost—a cost often overlooked in the pursuit of convenience and comfort. While salvation is freely bestowed through faith in Christ, discipleship demands sacrifice and surrender. It requires us to relinquish our will, take up our cross, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly, regardless of the personal cost.

Discipleship beckons us to embrace the transformative power of grace, shifting us from mere bystanders to vital contributors in God's redemptive narrative. It demands that we place our trust in Jesus and take action, transitioning from ordinary individuals to agents of change, casting our nets to become fishers of men.

Embracing Discomfort for Jesus

Imagine the scene: the nets are clean, the boat is docked, and Peter and his companions are probably ready to call it a day. But then Jesus comes along and asks them to cast their nets once more. It's a simple request, but it requires stepping out of their comfort zone.

Comfort is deeply rooted in human nature. We often go to great lengths to evade discomfort, whether it's choosing a premium service or treating ourselves to expensive indulgences. Our instinct leads us toward what brings comfort and security.

But discipleship calls us to break free from this comfort zone. When Jesus called Peter and the others, He wasn't offering a life of ease and convenience. He was inviting them to embark on a journey that would demand sacrifice.

The truth is, that following Jesus often means embracing discomfort. It means letting go of excuses and being willing to step out in faith, even when it's inconvenient or challenging.

Jesus Himself illustrated this in Matthew 8:18–22. He didn't promise luxury and comfort to those who wanted to follow Him. Instead, He challenged them to prioritize Him above everything else, even if it meant leaving behind the familiar comforts of home and family.

"Now when Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to depart to the other side of the sea. Then a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Jesus *said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”

When we sincerely seek to follow Jesus, we must be prepared for discomfort along the journey. Yet, we shouldn't let excuses obstruct our path forward. Whether we're waiting for the ideal moment or clinging to familiarity, making excuses only delays our obedience to God's call.

Indeed, stepping out of our comfort zone can feel uncomfortable, but it's worth it. When we obey Jesus when we cast our net despite discomfort, we unlock remarkable blessings and opportunities that far surpass any temporary discomfort we may encounter.

Trusting Jesus Before the Catch Appears

The disciples are out on the water, knowing full well there are no fish to be caught. Yet, despite the odds, they cast their nets at Jesus' command. It's an act of faith, trusting Him even before the miraculous catch appears.

Too often, we approach Jesus with a list of requirements before we're willing to follow Him. We want to see the catch before we cast our nets. But discipleship isn't about demanding proof from Jesus; it's about trusting Him wholeheartedly, even when the outcome is uncertain.

In Jesus' miracles, He frequently took the first step, expecting faith from His disciples before the miraculous provision became evident. He desires us to trust Him initially, even before witnessing the outcomes.

So often, we hesitate to step out in faith because we want assurances: assurances that people will show up, that there will be provision, and that our efforts won't be in vain. But Jesus calls us to cast our nets first, trusting Him to provide the catch.

If Jesus commissions you to do something, chances are it's something you can't accomplish on your own. And that's the point. Your calling isn't about what you can do; it's about what Jesus can do through you.

So, instead of waiting for assurances or demanding proof, cast your net in faith. Trust Jesus before the catch appears, knowing that He is faithful to provide and to work miracles beyond your wildest imagination.

Casting Your Net: Partnering with Jesus for the Gospel

So, what's your main motivation for following Jesus? Sure, there will be discomfort and challenges along the way, but the incredible truth is that when you follow Jesus, you're partnering with Him. You're joining Him in His mission to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

When the disciples cast their nets, they weren't alone. Jesus was right there with them, guiding their every move. And when they chose to follow Him, He promised to be with them always, even to the end of the age. As stated in Matthew 28:19–20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Partnering with Jesus in His mission means more than just having His comforting presence with us; it means experiencing His favor, goodness, and faithfulness leading the way. We're not laboring alone but alongside the Lord of the universe, who promises to bless our efforts and bring them to fruition.

Ministering side-by-side with Jesus is incredibly rewarding. As Matthew 19:27–30 reminds us, those who follow Jesus receive abundant blessings in this lifetime and eternal life in the next. Yet, beyond the rewards, we follow Him because He is worthy of our devotion and obedience.

It's not merely about the rewards we'll receive; it's about honoring and worshiping the One who sacrificed everything to bring us salvation. Let's commit to following Him wholeheartedly, knowing that by partnering with Jesus for the Gospel, we are participating in the greatest adventure of all time.