In Luke, Chapter 5, Luke tells the famous story of Jesus commanding Simon to cast the fishing nets on the other side of the boat. Whereas they had been fishing without any results, now their catch was so big they could almost not haul it in.
The story has some significant lessons for Kingdom businesses and Christian businesspeople. Let’s start with some observations about this incident.
* Simon and the fishermen had had some exposure to Christ’s power before this event. Jesus had visited in Simon’s house, cured his mother-in-law of a high fever, healed people and driven out demons.
* Simon had earlier taken a step of faith by allowing Christ into his boat and putting it off into the water so that Christ could use it to teach the people on the shore. This was a small step of faith – an action – that preceded the miracle.
* The incident occurred when Jesus was with Simon and the other fishermen. Jesus was in the boat with them, not far off. So they were in relationship with him.
* The incident revealed Christ’s power over the natural world. Earlier, he had demonstrated his ability to cure people and drive out demons. Now, he exhibited the ability to make fish appear.
* The event occurred in a business setting. Simon was a fisherman and was going about his business when Jesus intervened and supernaturally blessed his business. This is another example of the Biblical precedent that God works with mankind through business. Teamwork!
* Obedience required that the fishermen act. It wasn’t enough to just believe. They had to believe sufficiently to do the hard work of casting their nets into the unknown. Not knowing exactly what would happen, they decided to follow Jesus’ directions.
* Simon’s initial reaction to the miracle was to acknowledge the power of Christ and Simon’s own sinfulness.
* The net result was an increase in the number of Jesus’ disciples.
Business Applications
If you are asking God to bless your business and your career, and you are frustrated, maybe you should follow Simon’s path:
* Become involved with Jesus, at least in some small way.
Simon had some experience with Jesus, so he wasn’t totally new to him.
* Act. Do something on faith. Faith without works is dead.
Simon and the fishermen had to relaunch the boat at the end of their workday.
* Look in places you may not be expecting for blessings.
They were not expecting a catch, having already fished those waters.
* Confess your short comings, give the glory to God.
Simon immediately confessed his sinfulness and acknowledged the Lord.
* Expect the Kingdom to be expanded.
Jesus’ disciples increased in number, and several apostles were added.
Luke 5: 5 – 11 (NIV)
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[s] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
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