Chapter 1: The Fisherman

Capernaum was a small fishing village on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. That is where Simon lived and worked.

One morning after a fruitless night on the water, a teacher climbed into his boat and asked him to push out a short distance from shore. The crowd gathered on the bank listened as He taught from the water. When He finished, He told Simon to go into deep water and let down the nets.

SIMON“Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”— Luke 5:5

The nets filled so heavily they began to tear. Both boats loaded until they started to sink.

Simon fell to his knees in the boat. Not with excitement. With terror. He was in the presence of someone who operated outside the boundaries of what was possible.

SIMON“Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man.”— Luke 5:8

He was not being humble. He was being honest.

JESUS“Don't be afraid. From now on you will fish for people.”— Luke 5:10

Simon pulled his boat onto shore, left everything behind, and followed Him.