ANDREW THE FIRST DISCIPLE
30 AD – Bethsaida, Sea of Galilee
Jesus climbed unto his boat.
“Peter, push your boat out on to the water just a little ways.” Peter sighed, nodding his assent and pushed the boat about ten feet from the shoreline. Then he tied it off. Jesus called for the people to quiet down and gestured those in the front to sit down on the beach. Then he sat at the edge of the bow and in a very clear voice, he began to teach. Andrew himself sat on the beach with the others.
“Behold, a sower went out to sow and as he sowed, some seeds fell…” *
* Luke 8:4 NASB
Jesus spoke at length of the Kingdom of Heaven and mostly in parables, Andrew noticed. He spoke in depth and there was richness in his voice. He was so emotional his eyes filled with tears.
When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon Peter, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”**
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing.” He looked at Andrew then faced Jesus again. Then his shoulders sagged a little. “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”**
Simon Peter and Andrew pushed the boat out and climbed on. They rowed out about a hundred feet, when Jesus told them to let down the nets. Simon Peter almost snickered at that.
“Be kind. He is not a fisherman,” Andrew whispered as Jesus was looking another way. “Don’t expect him to know that you can’t fish with the sun shining above.”
They let down the nets by the side, instead of casting them. Simon Peter wanted to pull them in easily. But then the nets tugged almost pulling both of them in.
“The nets are snagged on the rocks,” Simon Peter angrily complained.
Expecting to pull up torn up nets, they discovered their nets were so full of fish and tried to pull the catch aboard. But everytime they tried their boat listed dramatically on one side and thought the boat would turn over.
“Ho, James… John… we need you help!” Simon Peter’s voice boomed.
They quickly launched their boat and rowed out to them. John and James grabbed the other side of the net. Then, together all five of them pulled. Then they started to scoop the fish unto both boths. Soon both boats were filled with fish and seem they were on the verge of sinking. Looking at all the fish, they began to laugh in delight except Simon Peter.
He was staring at Jesus with wide eyes. Then, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.”**
His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed and they too got down on their knees on their boat.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”**
** Luke 5:1-10 NLT
When they landed, James called for their father. After some discussion, he took over all the caught fish and dealt with the gathered fish mongers.
Then, they left their boats and followed Jesus down the beach toward Capernaum.
Andrew, being surprised by seeing his brawny tough natured brother humbling himself, looked forward to be surprised where this great adventure will lead him.
————————————————————-
Greeting friends…
I hope you are enjoying the 17th segment of my ebook, FAITHFUL ENCOUNTERS. Here we pause on the story of Andrew and return to story of Simon the Leper 10 years after he contracted leprosy.
Feel free to leave your comments below. I look forward to read your comments and constructive inputs that will help me direct my creative thoughts.
If you want to support my writing, please use my Go-Fund-Me site below.
Thank you.
Until the next post.
Johann Q.
Please help me go mobile, donate at or share this link to others: https://www.gofundme.com/quadriplegic-needs-mobility
Johann Quisumbing 