(This is the 4th of a 5-part short story by Jim Brewer, “Let Down Your Nets.”
The water was boiling with fish in the surface, vast schools of sardines, Simon cast his net to one side and Nathan to the other. Each hauled in a seine filled with the small, silvery fish. The other boat with Abner and Boaz was having the same luck. Within an hour, both boats had filled their baskets and were headed back to Capernaum.
Simon’s brother, Andrew, met the returning fishermen at the shore.
“Simon, I have wonderful news,” called Andrew. “Ruth, your mother-in-law is well. Her fever is gone.”
“That quickly?” Simon asked. “How could that be?”
Andrew explained that a man named Jesus, a carpenter from Nazareth, had come to Capernaum that morning. As he passed by the house, Andrew went out and met him on the street.
“Master, I hear you have done many signs and wonders, casting out demons and speaking words that could come only from Heaven,” Andrew said. “Could you please come in our house and help Ruth? She has been stricken with a terrible fever.” Andrew continued to say that Jesus went immediately into their house and into the bedroom of Ruth. Andrew watched as Jesus put his hand on her forehead and she got up from the bed at once, went straight to the kitchen and prepared food for Jesus and Andrew.
Simon could hardly believe what he was hearing. Earlier that morning, Ruth had been close to death, but now his mother-in-law greeted him at the house, looking hale and hardy and asked if he had caught any fish.
Nathan had followed along and was more than confused about the events of that morning. Had the carpenter from Nazareth really healed Simon’s mother-in-law? Maybe her fever would have subsided anyway? If this man Jesus could perform wonders, even miracles, was he the Deliverer Simon spoke of or was this all just a strange coincidence?
As the young man turned to head for his house, Simon asked if he could fish with him the next day. One of the Jewish feasts was upcoming and there would be great demand for briny, the largest fish in Lake Gennesaret.
“We will be fishing at night,” Simon said. “Meet me at the boats tomorrow at dusk.”
When Nathan told Shaina he would be fishing at night, she was most concerned and fearful. What if the storms came again and she were to lose both men in her life? She could only pray that God would watch over her son and bring him back safely.
Next week: An Amazing Catch
