They had fished all night and had caught nothing, and when fishing is the source of your daily bread, a night of empty nets is demoralizing.

After a night of failure, Jesus got into Simon's boat. "Put me out a bit from the land," he said to Simon; and Jesus began to teach the people. When He finished teaching He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch".

Simon was hesitant. "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!" But he quickly added, "Yet, if you say so, I will let down the nets". They threw out their nets, and quickly caught so many fish they had to enlist the help of another boat.

Simon Peter fell at Jesus' knees, begging, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" He had full nets, but he had an empty life. "Do not be afraid," Jesus told the frightened Simon Peter; "From now on you will be catching people".

Until that moment, Simon Peter would have been content to spend his nights on the Sea of Galilee. But Jesus called him to become a fisher of the souls of men.

Jesus has called you and me, when He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Maybe you have been hesitant to obey His call, just as Simon Peter was hesitant to obey Jesus, but from personal experience, let me guarantee that your own personal life will be transformed as you share the greatest story ever told: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life!”

Go out and tell someone today, and then write and tell me the story. And may I urge you to help us continue sharing the gospel here on Skid Row? Your gift today will help us continue to throw out our nets into this sea of hurting humanity here in Los Angeles. You may give through our website, fjm.org, or mail your tax-deductible donation to me here at the Mission, PO BOX 12345, Covina, CA 91722.

Blessings,

Willie Jordan (Mrs. Fred Jordan)