[Jesus said,] "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. ... And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." (Luke 5:4b-6, 10b)

Simon is an experienced fisherman. Why should he listen to Jesus?

But he does, though he can't help protesting first. He obeys Jesus. And of course Jesus turns out to be right, and Simon is terrified. Who is this Man, who brings so many fish to the nets that the boats nearly sink?

During the next three years, Simon and his fellow disciples will find out. Because Jesus has come into the world to go fishing—not for fish, but for people. He wants to catch them all. And so Jesus is calling Simon, and Andrew, and us too—to learn from Him how to share our faith, so that we can bring more and more people into Jesus' nets.

Fish die when we catch them in nets. But the people Jesus catches aren't going to die—they will live forever, in joy and peace. How can this be? Because Jesus has given His own life for them on the cross. Because Jesus has risen from the dead, and gives love and life and salvation to all the people He catches.

And then He transforms them into fishermen, too, and sends them out to catch still more people for life—until the whole world has heard the story of Jesus.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, teach me to fish for You, too, please. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Are you nervous about sharing your faith with others? If so, what worries you?

* How could you find help to get past that worry?

* Ask the Lord to send you a chance to tell someone about Him—and to make it so easy that you're already doing it before you even realize it. See what happens!

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 25 Mark 11:1-18