Bible Story Lessons

One day Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee, when He saw two fishing boats and some fishermen who were mending their nets.  Jesus climbed into Simon Peter's boat and said to him, "Please row out a little from the shore."  Peter did so, and then rested on the oars and mopped his brow as Jesus began to teach the people.  When Jesus had finished, He turned to Simon and said, "Row out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

Simon stared at Jesus and answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night long and we haven't caught a thing.  But because You say so, I'll let down the nets."  And so they lowered the nets over the side, with Simon probably grumbling under his breath, "He's a teacher, but what does He know about fishing?"  Little did Simon know that the Creator of the world was in his boat and to please Jesus, just about every fish in the lake was going to try and jump into that net!

But, it's always wise to obey Jesus as He knows what is best for us.  Simon gasped when he saw silvery fish leaping into his net.   More and more came until the net was just a mass wriggling fish.   "I've caught everything!" he shouted, but then was horrified as the net began to break!  "Too many!" he yelled as he and Andrew tried to grab every side of the net at the same time.  "Help!" he screamed to his partners in the other boat, "Come and help us or we're going to lose our net!"

His partners James and John, rowed over as fast as they could and came up with a splash of oars.  Their eyes nearly popped out when they saw Simon knee-deep in fish.  "Quick," he gasped, "Help me and Andrew pull in the net!"  They struggled to pull the net over the side of the boat.  Soon both boats were so full of fish that water started to pour in and the boats began to sink!

Simon Peter was astonished at the size of the catch of fish they had taken and so were his partners.  Falling down before Jesus on his knees he cried, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"  But Jesus already knew this and had a great plan for Simon's life.  Jesus also has a great plan for each of one of us today.  But what did Jesus do?  He just looked lovingly at that rough fisherman and gently said:

"Don't be afraid Simon, from now on you will catch men."

Simon must have pointed at himself and said, "Who me Lord?" and Jesus just smiled and nodded.  And so Simon, who became the Apostle Peter, slowly rowed ashore.  With his brother Andrew, and with James and John, they pulled their boats up onto the beach and left them - boats, nets, fish and all!  And they followed Jesus and went on to become His disciples to serve Him for the rest of their lives.

We too can have our lives changed, just as Jesus changed Simon Peter and made him into a great preacher.  Jesus wants to make each one of you into a "Fisher of Men" or rather a "Fisher of Kids" by helping you tell other children that God loves them.  You can tell them how Jesus came into your heart and made you into one of God's children.  You can pray and care for your friends and soon some of them will come to love Jesus!

I must ask as we finish, are you a just fish wriggling in a net?  Or are you going to be a "Fisher of Kids" for Jesus?  If you are, let's pray and ask Jesus to make you into one.

God bless!