Fishers of PeopleSample

Fear Not

The Gospel of Luke records that when Jesus called Peter to follow Him, He said an important phrase not included in Mark or Matthew: “Do not be afraid.”

A significant reason why many of us are not executing the task the Lord assigned us when He invited us to follow Him is fear; we are afraid.

The Lord Jesus Christ told Peter not to be afraid. What is intriguing is the source of Peter’s fear. His fear didn’t stem from the task itself but rather from understanding Who he was dealing with. Suddenly, an awareness of Jesus’ holiness entered his soul. Peter acknowledged being a sinner, so he beseeched Jesus to turn away from him. His encounter with the Messiah frightened him.

When Jesus tells Peter not to fear, He adds that Peter would be a fisher of people. He doesn’t say that He will be transformed into one, but rather that Peter will catch people from that moment on.

Let’s backtrack a few verses. Recall that the disciples had been fishing, but hadn’t managed to catch anything. When Jesus instructed Peter to cast the net, Peter said he would do so as a consideration to Him without fathoming that the net would soon be teeming with fish.

Advancing into the story about three years later, on the Day of Pentecost, after the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter cast the net and got another miraculous catch. This time, instead of fish, it was a multitude of people.

Jesus kept His promise!

Whether your fear stems from the magnitude of the task, from fearing rejection, or, like Peter, from questioning your suitability for walking with the Master, you can take solace in Jesus’ reassuring words: “Do not be afraid.”

Act in accordance with the Master’s commands and cast the net in His name. You might just enclose a large number of fish! From now on, you will be indeed a fisher of people.

Lord, thank you for setting Your eyes upon me. You are real, holy, and mighty. I thank You for Your redemptive work that cleanses me from all sin and for Your words that give me the confidence that You are with me as I do Your work. Guide me to the proper place to cast the net. Once again, bring forth the miracle of an abundant catch.