Crappie, the Fish

Grandboy and "crappie the fish"
Coosa River farm

"Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" (Luke 5:10)

It's crappie season in Alabama, and our little grandboys love catching (and I quote) "crappie, the fish." 

When I was a little girl, my granddaddy owned a farm with fish ponds atop Lookout Mountain and often took my brother and I fishing. In the summertime, a fresh-cut, red-ripe watermelon from his garden was the favorite snack on our fishing expeditions. Good memories.

In the Gospel of Luke, after preaching from Peter's boat along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus said, "Now go out where the water is deep and let down your nets for a big catch."

"Master," Simon Peter replied, "we worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again."

When he obeyed, the nets were so full of fish they began to tear! Peter and his fishing partners, James and John, were utterly  amazed!

Jesus replied to Simon Peter, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

It's fishing season, beloved! Let us follow Jesus into the deep sea of humanity, and cast His gospel-nets for a big catch.