Back around AD 29, Jesus is being pressurised to heal. But his principal anxiety, explained to his disciples, is for all “to hear the word of God”.
In fact, the fishermen, having stepped down from them, were washing the nets. In fact, getting into one of the boats (it was Simon’s), he asked him to put out a little from the earth. In fact, sitting down, he taught the crowds from the boat. In fact, when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep! And lower your nets for a haul!”
One of the two “standing” boats resolved the conflict. The crowd heard.
And Simon, responding, said, “Master, toiling through the whole night, we took nothing, but upon your statement I will lower the nets.” And, doing this, they enclosed a large multitude of fish. In fact, their nets were breaking. And they signalled to the companions having come in his other boat. They came to take hold with them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking.
Simon was a professional fisherman. Such was his respect for this man Jesus that he agreed to do what seemed to him to be pointless. Not only was the “haul” a huge one (breaking nets, two sinking boats) but also the fishermen, even joining together as “companions”, could not handle it.
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In fact, Simon Peter, seeing, fell down at Jesus’ knees, stating, “Come away from me! For I, Lord, am a sinful male”, because amazement surrounded him and all those with him over the haul of fish of which they had taken hold. In fact, likewise, James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
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“Seeing”? What had he seen? Only a huge “haul of fish”. What made him see within himself that he was, deep down. “a sinful male”? If only the crowds, when Jesus repeatedly healed them, had seen that as well.
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be taking-alive people.” And, bringing their boats to earth, sending away everything, they followed him.
Simon desperately needed to hear the words, “Do not fear!” Before he could ever “take-alive people” he needed to know how bad he was inside. And how that badness was done away with. Then he could tell others. He and his “partners” followed Jesus. Each, “alive”, followed Jesus.
And it came to be, in him being in one of the towns, (look and see!) a male full of leprosy. And seeing Jesus, falling upon his face, he pleaded him, stating, “Lord, if you desire, you are able to cleanse me.” And Jesus, stretching out his hand, touched him, saying, “I do desire. Be cleansed!” And at once the leprosy came away from him.
Are you wondering what on earth it might mean that Simon and company would “be taking-alive people”? Then “Look and see!” This man was “full of leprosy”. He would be crying out “Unclean! Unclean!” What he needed to know was that Jesus, who was “able to cleanse” him did indeed “want” to do so. That is the message which changes people inside.
Was Jesus sent by the Father to judge and condemn? No. He came to do what he actually wanted to do – individually - for all. “Be clean!”
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And he himself ordered him to say nothing, instead “coming away, show yourself to the priest! And bring, concerning your cleansing, what Moses prescribed, for a witness to them!”
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The cleansed man needed to comply with the legal and health requirements of the time. In doing so, he became a “witness”.
In fact, even more the word about him was coming through and many crowds came together to hear and to be cured of their disabilities. In fact, he was withdrawing to wilderness places and praying.
Is the “word about him” still “coming through” from his followers today?
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