This episode is a special one.
Simon has always been one of my favorite disciples. He's the first, in Scripture, to declare Jesus as Messiah. He's the first to step out of the boat when Jesus comes walking to them on the water. He's the first to strike out and defend Jesus in the garden. He's also the first to deny knowing Jesus when questioned by suspicious men. He wears his heart on his sleeve - speaks, often times, out of his emotions. He's flawed...but he loves Jesus!
We pick back up with Simon's plot to turn in Jewish fishermen fishing on the Sabbath. I had some students question this - why fishing on the Sabbath was illegal - why Rome even cared. So, I explained, in the Jewish culture, the Sabbath was a holy day. It was a day of rest, to honor the day God rested at the end of creating all things. That they understood. But, why would Rome care if they were fishing?
So, according to this series - Jewish fishermen were fishing on the Sabbath to avoid taxation on their catch. They fish in the dead of night and not report their catch. That way they avoided giving the money to Rome.
It was this that Simon had agreed to report on. In return, his own tax debt would be forgiven by Rome.
It's a great backstory - a great picture of how life in the first century was so controlled by the political forces and might of the Roman Empire. It also shows just how oppressive it was - how much of a struggle Jews faced in providing for their families.
While Simon is out with the Roman guard, he finds a lure bobbing in the water. It is marked with a letter Z - leading us to believe it belongs to Zebedee - whose sons are James and John. Simon, feeling loyalty to these men, runs his boat aground, giving Zebedee time to get his own boats to shore, avoiding the Roman soldiers.
We begin to see Simon's character change. We see him starting to realize he'll have to take responsibility for his own debt. His character just won't allow him to double-cross his Jewish brothers. So, he takes to his boat. He casts his nets, hoping for a catch that he can then turn in to cover what he owes. But, the waters are quiet, the fish are nowhere to be found.
And he's angry! He cries out to God in frustration. "We're supposed to be your chosen people? Then why did we spend so long enslaved in Egypt? You release us from Egypt only to roam the dessert for 40 years! You bring us to the promised land only to be taken captive by Babylon!"
We've all been there, haven't we? At the end our our proverbial lines - wondering where God is in it all! I can remember in my nearly decade-long search for a ministry position, feeling abandoned and forgotten by God. I can remember yelling at God - crying because, "when will it be my turn?"
I feel for Simon in this moment, because I was Simon!
The climax of this episode comes as morning approaches. Zebedee, James, John and Simon's brother, Andrew have joined Simon. They've spent all night fishing with no success. They're tired. Simon is resigned to his lot in life - that he'll possibly be imprisoned. He's making plans to make sure his wife is cared for as they near shore.
That's when they see Jesus!
Andrew was introduced to Jesus just the day before. He'd been out listening to John the Baptist when Jesus had walked by and John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!"
As Jesus wraps up his teaching of the people, he addresses Simon personally. He asks Simon to cast his nets one more time.
Simon has a logical reaction. He's skeptical, he's tired, he knows there are no fish. But, he looks to his brother who encourages him and he complies. He throws over his nets.
Suddenly the nets are full to the point of bursting with fish! The boat is tipping under the weight! Simon and Andrew cannot pull them in on their own. James, John and Zebedee are still nearby and come running when they call for help.
Where is Jesus in all of this?
He's standing on the shore. He's laughing.
I get the feeling, in this scene, that even Jesus is amazed at the power of God!
Eventually, the men pull in the fish, filling the boat.
Simon turns to Jesus in amazement and realization (another logical reaction). He knows this is from God and he falls on his knees in tears at the feet of Jesus.
I love the way the creators of this show have paid attention to detail. They've not only skillfully portrayed this miracle, but they've weaved it into the narrative they're telling. Simon now has the means to pay off his debt to Rome. Now, as Jesus calls him to follow him, Simon has no reason to say no! He knows his wife will be cared for, his debt is taken care of.
There is still sacrifice required when it comes to following Jesus, though. Simon will have to leave his wife behind. He and Andrew will have to leave behind their profession. James and John, as well, will have to leave their families and trust that God will provide for their needs.
And yet they do it! They drop everything - with only the slightest look back - and follow this man they've only just met.
Simon has always been one of my favorite disciples. He's the first, in Scripture, to declare Jesus as Messiah. He's the first to step out of the boat when Jesus comes walking to them on the water. He's the first to strike out and defend Jesus in the garden. He's also the first to deny knowing Jesus when questioned by suspicious men. He wears his heart on his sleeve - speaks, often times, out of his emotions. He's flawed...but he loves Jesus!
We pick back up with Simon's plot to turn in Jewish fishermen fishing on the Sabbath. I had some students question this - why fishing on the Sabbath was illegal - why Rome even cared. So, I explained, in the Jewish culture, the Sabbath was a holy day. It was a day of rest, to honor the day God rested at the end of creating all things. That they understood. But, why would Rome care if they were fishing?
So, according to this series - Jewish fishermen were fishing on the Sabbath to avoid taxation on their catch. They fish in the dead of night and not report their catch. That way they avoided giving the money to Rome.
It was this that Simon had agreed to report on. In return, his own tax debt would be forgiven by Rome.
It's a great backstory - a great picture of how life in the first century was so controlled by the political forces and might of the Roman Empire. It also shows just how oppressive it was - how much of a struggle Jews faced in providing for their families.
While Simon is out with the Roman guard, he finds a lure bobbing in the water. It is marked with a letter Z - leading us to believe it belongs to Zebedee - whose sons are James and John. Simon, feeling loyalty to these men, runs his boat aground, giving Zebedee time to get his own boats to shore, avoiding the Roman soldiers.
We begin to see Simon's character change. We see him starting to realize he'll have to take responsibility for his own debt. His character just won't allow him to double-cross his Jewish brothers. So, he takes to his boat. He casts his nets, hoping for a catch that he can then turn in to cover what he owes. But, the waters are quiet, the fish are nowhere to be found.
And he's angry! He cries out to God in frustration. "We're supposed to be your chosen people? Then why did we spend so long enslaved in Egypt? You release us from Egypt only to roam the dessert for 40 years! You bring us to the promised land only to be taken captive by Babylon!"
We've all been there, haven't we? At the end our our proverbial lines - wondering where God is in it all! I can remember in my nearly decade-long search for a ministry position, feeling abandoned and forgotten by God. I can remember yelling at God - crying because, "when will it be my turn?"
I feel for Simon in this moment, because I was Simon!
The climax of this episode comes as morning approaches. Zebedee, James, John and Simon's brother, Andrew have joined Simon. They've spent all night fishing with no success. They're tired. Simon is resigned to his lot in life - that he'll possibly be imprisoned. He's making plans to make sure his wife is cared for as they near shore.
That's when they see Jesus!
Andrew was introduced to Jesus just the day before. He'd been out listening to John the Baptist when Jesus had walked by and John said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!"
As Jesus wraps up his teaching of the people, he addresses Simon personally. He asks Simon to cast his nets one more time.
Simon has a logical reaction. He's skeptical, he's tired, he knows there are no fish. But, he looks to his brother who encourages him and he complies. He throws over his nets.
Suddenly the nets are full to the point of bursting with fish! The boat is tipping under the weight! Simon and Andrew cannot pull them in on their own. James, John and Zebedee are still nearby and come running when they call for help.
Where is Jesus in all of this?
He's standing on the shore. He's laughing.
I get the feeling, in this scene, that even Jesus is amazed at the power of God!
Eventually, the men pull in the fish, filling the boat.
Simon turns to Jesus in amazement and realization (another logical reaction). He knows this is from God and he falls on his knees in tears at the feet of Jesus.
I love the way the creators of this show have paid attention to detail. They've not only skillfully portrayed this miracle, but they've weaved it into the narrative they're telling. Simon now has the means to pay off his debt to Rome. Now, as Jesus calls him to follow him, Simon has no reason to say no! He knows his wife will be cared for, his debt is taken care of.
There is still sacrifice required when it comes to following Jesus, though. Simon will have to leave his wife behind. He and Andrew will have to leave behind their profession. James and John, as well, will have to leave their families and trust that God will provide for their needs.
And yet they do it! They drop everything - with only the slightest look back - and follow this man they've only just met.
I often wonder what these men saw in Jesus to so quickly drop what they were doing to follow him. Was there a glow about him? Some holy aura? Was there something in his eyes? Some intuition that just filled Simon and his brother - something to fill them with peace and ease?
Granted, these men had no idea what lay ahead. 2,000 years later, we have an advantage in knowing how things end up. But, don't make the mistake that following Jesus today is any easier, is without the risk it was in the first century. Following Jesus can be scary - it's an adventure, to be sure - but moving forward in faith, we're just as blind today as Simon was when he took that first step forward.
It's an adventure I choose everyday. It can be frustrating... especially when Jesus seems to be distant and silent. But, it's never without it's reward! I will continue to choose Jesus...always!
Granted, these men had no idea what lay ahead. 2,000 years later, we have an advantage in knowing how things end up. But, don't make the mistake that following Jesus today is any easier, is without the risk it was in the first century. Following Jesus can be scary - it's an adventure, to be sure - but moving forward in faith, we're just as blind today as Simon was when he took that first step forward.
It's an adventure I choose everyday. It can be frustrating... especially when Jesus seems to be distant and silent. But, it's never without it's reward! I will continue to choose Jesus...always!