“Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, ’What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.’” - Luke 4:36-37 (NKJV)
Imagine for a moment that Simon the fisherman is featured in the Galilean Gazette for that history-making catch of fish last week. In fact, there have been many interesting changes in Simon’s life since he met that man they call Jesus. Simon, who is well known in the local area as a prolific fisherman, seems to be a different man. He’s not as “rough around the edges” as he used to be, and people want to follow him now. So, the Gazette was excited to grab an interview with this influential man, to find out more about his friend, this sensational figure they call Jesus, the man who is stirring up some excitement in this sleepy little coastal town. Here’s the exclusive interview:
Gazette: How many fish did you catch last week? The whole town’s talking about it! I guess things were pretty dry before that happened.
Simon: OK, man, let me tell you, things weren’t just dry; we were at a standstill for production before last week. And nothing “just happened,” Jesus made it happen! I know He did, cuz one minute He was speaking to this crowd of folks on the shore, and then He was telling us to hit the water again and put our nets down. Now, I thought he was a little crazy, cuz He is not a fisherman, and we all know the reputation I have…anyway, I told Him that there was nothing out there! I mean, me and the boys had been out all night, and we hadn’t caught a thing! But as tired as I was, I believed Him, cuz He’s the kind of guy that you want to listen to. Let me tell you, there’s something about this guy…I’m sure you’ve heard about my mother-in-law, she was so sick last week, my wife thought it might be her time. Well, He came in and just touched her, and not only was she instantly better, she got up and made dinner! He is amazing…
Gazette: So wait, was that before the record-breaking catch?
Simon: Yeah, yeah it was oohhh, a couple of days before that. You know, this guy doesn’t stop though. After that, he was healing our neighbors and friends, cuz people were telling them what he had just done with my mother-in-law! You know the goat farmer down the street from me? Well, he was healed of his broken ankle! Amazing!
Gazette: Back to the day of the big catch…
Simon: Right. So He tells us to take the rig back out. We did, half asleep! We were awake in no time, though, cuz we almost lost our net, that load of fish was so thick! There was probably two week’s worth of fish in that net! We had to have James and John bring their vessel over, just so we wouldn’t sink from the weight of too many fish! Everybody was hollering and whooping, I have never seen that amount in one catch before! We thought we were in awe until we saw the drop-jaws of everybody who had been watching from shore!
Gazette: Wow, what a story! Did He want any payment from you for the tip?
Simon: (laughing) No, man, He’s not like that, he won’t take any payment. Not even from the sick people he has been touching and healing. He did eat some fish, and seemed to enjoy it, though!
Gazette: People around here are talking about how you’ve seemed different recently. Do you think this man has had an impact on your life, besides, of course, the huge catch!
Simon: Let me just tell you, I am a changed man. Not just because my income changed on that day, either. I am in awe of Jesus and what He’s done and is doing around here! And I don’t just want to be a spectator. I told Him the day of the catch to “Don’t come near me, Lord, cuz I’ve done some bad stuff!” And you know what he said to me? “Not to be afraid. From now on you will fish men.” I don’t how to put it into just words, but I knew this Man was different! After that, my brother and I dropped our business, and we are following Him now. We get to help Him in His work, and He is teaching us to do the work He does.
Gazette: So obviously this man called Jesus has impacted your life in a major way! What are your plans for the future?
Simon: Man, I’m done making my own plans, I can’t explain what it is about Him, but I’ll be following Him from now on.
Luke 4 & 5 – Story reference
