Reflections for Youth - Fishing with Jesus

If you met Jesus - what would it take for you to be convinced that he was truly the son of God?

Would you have to witness a miracle? 

Would that be enough?

In this week's scripture passage is was enough for Simon.  

Read Luke 5:1-11

This gospel lesson is like last week's narrative about Jeremiah.  It's a call story.  Luke is telling the story of how Simon (and James and John) became disciples.  

We know from the parables and many other stories from the New Testament that Jesus used things that were commonly understood during his days to teach and get his message across. 

Simon, who Jesus renames Peter, along with James and John were fisherman. (Also, Andrew - but he is not mentioned in Luke's version of this story.)  So, it makes sense that Jesus calls them by using something they know about - fish. He also uses the fish to demonstrate his ability to perform miracles  - to show them that God is capable of providing great blessings. 

So Jesus is hanging out on the shore of Lake Gennesaret (which is Luke's name for the Sea of Galilee.) As he spoke, more and more people crowded around to hear him teach.  Jesus had to steps out into a boat owned by Simon and asks him to take it our on to the water so everyone can see can hear him.  Once on the water,  Jesus sat down in the boat and began teaching the large crowd which has gathered on the shore.

Then he says to Simon,  “Let’s go fishing.”

Simon tells Jesus they had already been fishing all night and had not caught anything. But he tells Jesus that they can try again if that's what he wants. They took the boat out into the deep water, and Simon and the other fishermen threw their nets into the sea. Soon they catch so many fish that the boats almost began to sink. They call over James and John and fill up their boat with fish as well. 

This is when Simon starts to freak out. The Bible says he fell to his knees and said “Master, I am not good enough to be near you.”

I'd be shocked, too. That's a lot of fish. 

Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. Follow me, and you will not just catch fish, you will catch people for God.” 

The scripture days Simon and the other fisherman left their boats on the beach and followed Jesus, becoming the first disciples.

So, here's what I am thinking about this week:

Simon and the others are being called away from what they know to go tell others about God's love with Jesus. What would it take for us to drop everything and do that as well? What kinds of miracle would we need to experience?

What are some of the things that God might be calling you to do?

Simon tells Jesus that he feels like he is not good enough to be around him after Jesus does something incredible. When have you felt like Simon? 

This story reminds me to look for and recognize God's blessings and generosity in the world. It reminds me that sometimes we might be in a place where we don’t expect anything exciting to happen and then we see and are filled with God’s love in a new way. 

Was Simon, after a frustrated night of not catching any fish, expecting to be overwhelmed with abundance from this strange dude wandering around and preaching about love? Probably not.  Have there been times that you have been surprised with an unexpected blessing? How did/does that make you feel?

Maybe it doesn't have to be something miraculous - like's Simon's boat full of fish. Maybe it  is seeing a sunrise or something so beautiful that you can't describe it in words.  Maybe it's playing with a puppy, hearing a song that you love, or hearing raindrops on the roof.  Maybe it's anything that you can recognize throughout the day that makes you feel joy, content, and happy.  

I am thinking this week that I need to remind myself everyday that God's grace and love can be revealed in ways that are wildly miraculous and small and subtle -   and is always more generous than I can ever imagine.