I’m Simon the fisherman. Fishing is all we know in my family, going back generations – my dad, grandparents, great-grandparents – that’s all we’ve ever done. It’s all we’ve known. I’ve been on the water for as long as I can remember, going out early in the morning or even overnight with my dad. I enjoyed the adrenaline rush as the boat jerked once the fish get caught in the net and then as we fought together to haul the full net onto deck. And then, bartering at the market, getting the best price for our catch – I was good at that – I had the gift of the gab, you see. There wasn’t anything quite like it. Yes, there was lots of waiting around as well out on the water, waiting for the catch, but you can’t complain, not with the the view of the hills and mountains that surround the lake. I could never get bored of that. – and I wouldn’t have minded it being my life’s work as it was for my father and his fathers before him.
Andrew, my brother, he was different, less satisfied. He was always the deep thinker, more diligent about going to synagogue, asking those deep questions. He resented how the religious leaders seemed to be too satisfied with the rule of the Romans, whom he hated as oppressors. So, when he heard about this John the Baptist, who seemed to be launching a new move of God out in the wilderness, he was right there and took me to see him. I went, because it was something to do, more than anything. He was certainly different – wild, passionate, outspoken – I admired that about him. John talked about preparing the way for the Messiah, who was God’s anointed one, who was coming soon. We were to change our ways, prepare the way for the Lord. This Messiah was greater than him, he would come with God’s authority. Rumour has it that this Messiah had made an appearance one day and was actually baptised by John in the Jordan River It was exciting – God was doing a new thing. But it seemed to end rather swiftly when John was arrested in the dead of night and put into prison for criticising Herod. That was that, or so I thought. I’d carry on fishing and life would go on as usual.
Then, one day, a bloke appeared as me and Andrew were throwing our net into the water. I vaguely recognised him, but Andrew definitely did … he nudged me in the ribs and whispered, “This is the one John was talking about — he’s the Messiah!” I took a second look at this bloke and shrugged – he didn’t look like a messiah to me. I waited for him to pass us by, but he didn’t. He stopped and stared at us for a few moments. And then he called to us, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
That was it. There was no thunder from heaven or anything, and I knew that it made no logical sense, but in that moment, I knew, somehow, that if I didn’t stop what I was doing and follow this man, I would regret it for the rest of my life. Clearly, Andrew was thinking the same thing, because we just looked at each other without a word, nodded, and dropped our nets. “Ok, we’ll follow you.” I said, and walked with Jesus, still not saying a word. He smiled as we approached him, and we continued along the shore. Our friends, and fellow fishermen, James and John – nicknamed the sons of thunder, because of their tempers, were there in their boat with their father, Zebedee. They were repairing their nets. Jesus called over to them, “Hey, you brothers, I’d like you to follow me – from now on you’ll be catching people for God’s kingdom,” he said. The lads looked at each other, and at their dad, He nodded, giving them permission – and they stepped out of their boat, joining us. Suddenly we were a group of five of us and we went with Jesus all over Galilee. It was amazing. Jesus taught in the synagogues, telling people the Good News about God’s Kingdom – where everyone was loved and valued – and, incredibly, he healed every kind of disease and illness. The crowds were growing wherever we went. I could barely believe what I was witnessing. God was clearly at work, doing a new thing, and I had the incredible privilege of seeing it for myself, learning from Jesus, not only when he taught the crowds, but the way he was in private too. Suddenly I felt more alive than ever, in a way that I had scare lay believed was ossicle – all because I stepped out of my boat, left all I knew behind me, and followed him.
Halwill Publishing 