(This is the final chapter in a 5-part short story, “Let Down Your Nets”, by Jim Brewer)
Nighttime was always best for catching briny, the larger fish, as they could not see the nets so easily in the dark waters. They would enter, then be trapped in the trammel nets. A nice catch this evening would cap off what had been a productive week. But time and again, Simon and Nathan and the other boats dropped their nets, hoping the fish would swim in and become entangled, but time and again, their nets came up empty. They moved from spot to spot, even over the deep water springs with no luck. Not even a catfish was to be had.
At dawn, they gave up fishing, pulled in their nets, beached the boats and set about the ever-pressing duty of cleaning and inspecting the nets. The fishermen stretched their nets across the sand, removing debris and checking for tears. While they were at work, the man Jesus appeared followed by a large crowd. As they pressed upon him to hear what he was saying, Jesus was almost being pushed out into the lake. The carpenter from Nazareth then caught the eye of Simon and asked if he could use one of the boats as a pulpit, so to speak. Though he had never before seen Jesus, Simon knew at once that the was the man who had visited his mother-in-law and left her without the fever.
Simon nodded, yes, you may speak from my boat. Jesus stepped in and Simon pushed the boat from the sand and rowed out a bit from the shore.
Jesus then spoke words like Simon had never before heard. He spoke of a loving God, not a task master of cruel laws. He spoke of a love for neighbors and kindness to all. He spoke as one with authority, not simply reciting scriptures as did the Rabbis.
Shaina had come down to meet the fishing party and was thankful to find Nathan safe and sound. Then, Shaina, Nathan and all the fishermen ashore stopped what they were doing and moved closer to hear what Jesus was saying. His words were captivating and a quiet joy filled their hearts. When Jesus had finished speaking, he turned to Simon and said, “Let’s go out to deeper water and fish.” Simon was now most distressed. He had just finished cleaning the nets and he knew full well that if he could not catch the briny at night, there was no way to get even one fish to enter the trammel nets in broad daylight. It was useless, a complete waste of time and now Simon would have to clean the nets all over again.
Yet, Jesus had healed his mother-in-law and was owed at least the respect and obedience of the family. Simon put out a hundred feet more from the shore, and looked at Jesus as if to say, “Are you sure?”
Jesus turned to Simon, looked at him intently and then said softly, “Let down your nets.”
Before the net hit bottom, Simon could see it vibrating rapidly as fish were entering by the score. It was as if the fish had been commanded to swim inside the nets.
The net began to drop deeper into the water with the weight of the catch and Simon grabbed the head rope near the cork to save it from sinking out of sight. When Simon tried to lift the net, it was as if it was hung on the bottom, yet Simon could feel wiggling fish below. He couldn’t begin to lift the net for all its weight and called to the men ashore for help.
Andrew, Nathan, Abner and Boaz came at once and together hauled the net filled with briny into the boat. There were so many fish, the one boat was beginning to sink. Between the two trawl boats and all the men, the net was finally dragged up on the beach and all who saw the catch were amazed.
Simon fell to the feet of Jesus, knowing he had seen a miracle, and Jesus had come from God. Quietly, Jesus spoke to Simon and helped him to his feet. Simon looked at Jesus and nodded, and then approached Nathan.
“Nathan,” he said. “You asked me if I believed in miracles. Today, we have all seen a great wonder, a miracle, and the salvation of God is upon us. I believe this man Jesus to be our Messiah, and yes, you will see your father again in heaven.”
Nathan hugged Simon as tears streamed down the young man’s face.
“Then Simon stepped away and said, “I am going to follow Jesus. I want you to take my boat and nets and fish while I am gone.”
“Simon, where will you go?” Nathan asked. “When will you return?”
“I don’t know where I am going nor when I will return. I only know that my name is now Simon Peter and I will be fishing for men.”