Pastor Jerry Blom

     I read a story the other day about Sir Francis Drake, the great explorer and English sea captain. In this story Sir Francis Drake was recruiting men to join him for a great exploration. According to the story, he gathered a group of men and told them that if they joined him for the journey they would see the most wonderful things their eyes had ever seen. Things like: White sandy beaches, exotic fruits, interesting foreign people, extravagant treasures and the most gorgeous scenery they had ever imagined. He told them that all this would be theirs if they would join him, but none did.
     Being a persistent person, Sir Francis Drake did not give up. The next day he gathered a completely different group of men to himself and he told them a completely different story. He told them of a journey that would terrify them to the deepest part of their being. He told them of being driven by winds that would blow them off course. He told them of deprivation beyond description; water would be scarce and sometimes they would be so thirsty that they would yearn for just one drop of water. During the journey they would have danger as their closest companion.  He ended his plea for companions for the journey by telling them that if they could handle all of this, the journey would far be the most satisfying and exciting event of their lives. Every man signed up to go…some not even going home to say goodbye.
     What an incredible difference between these two groups of men. What was it that made the difference? Why did the second group respond to go when everything promised was dismal at best?  The first group was offered rewards, comfort and things. The second group was offered challenges, suffering and an experience of a lifetime.
     Something very similar is taking place in Luke 5:1-11 where Jesus is calling his disciples. In the message of Jesus we hear Jesus offering his soon to be disciples a change. These men were fisherman and as Jesus approaches them he goes to the heart of their lives to make a point. He says in verse 4 “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  This would have been great news for a fisherman except that as we listen to Peter’s response that is exactly what they had been doing. Like what they always did…day in and day out. Peter says, “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
     When they did let down their nets, they caught so many that the nets were about to break. Quite a great morning, wouldn’t you say? They could make a mint if Jesus would join them on their journey! But Jesus had other plans and he offers them a change. He says “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men.” 
     I wonder what was going through the disciples minds at this moment. Did they look at their nets swollen with fish and wonder what kind of nets they would need to hold a great catch of men? Did they think “No, I don’t want to catch men, I like fish better? I like things the way they are, I don’t want change?
     The journey Jesus offered them would present many challenges. They would know the critical eye of the organized church. They would know the danger of the Pharisees. They would eventually know persecution and martyrdom. Yet they would know challenges and suffering, but it would truly be an experience of a lifetime because the journey to which Jesus called them would be a journey of a new lifestyle with Jesus at the center.
Yes, Jesus offered them a change that would be the greatest challenge they would know, but from this moment their lives would never be the same.  They would wander from village to village casting the net of the good news. They would see things happen like they never imagined…the lame would walk, the blind would see and the living dead would walk in faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
     The voice of Jesus still sounds in the Gallatin Valley, in Bozeman Christian Reformed Church…if we will yet be willing to listen. The mission to which Jesus called his disciples is still the mission for us today. Are we ready for this journey?
    When I read the story of Sir Francis Drake, I wondered if he had discovered what Jesus had offered so many centuries before him. The journey to which we are called is one that promises to shape us, build our character and change the way we look at the world…and at the way we, in thankfulness and obedience, will cast out the nets for men, women, and children who need to hear the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that you are all ready and willing to take the journey.