Jesus and the Fishermen

When Jesus was here on the earth He told the people many things about God. God sent Him so that the people of the world could know the truth. Satan deceived the people and they were believing lies. Jesus was really God but He came to live on the earth as a man. In this way He could tell people that which was true about God.

Some of the people who listened to Jesus were fishermen. They caught many fish with big nets. One morning Jesus came to the lake and saw them in their boats. Jesus called to them, "Have you caught any fish?" They answered, saying, "No, we have worked all night, but we have caught no fish." Jesus said, "Put your nets on the other side of the boat." They did what He told them. What a surprise! Their net became so full of fish that they had to call their friends to come and help them! Do you wonder at this? Jesus is God, so He can do anything. He caused the fish to come there. (Then Jesus called them and said, "Follow Me." They left their boats and became His followers (helpers).)**

Another time Jesus and His friends were in a boat on the lake. Jesus had been helping the people all day. He had made sick people well. He had made blind people to see. He had made lame people able to walk. He even had made a dead man to live again. When He got into the boat, He was so tired that He went to the back of the boat and went to sleep.

Suddenly a big storm came. The waves got very high. The men in the boat could not steer it. The storm got bigger and bigger. They thought the boat might sink, and they were very much afraid. Then they remembered Jesus. They ran to Him and said, "Master, help us. Help us! We are going to die!" Jesus got up. He saw the big waves. He felt the boat tip and shake. (He heard the noise of the wind). He said to the storm, "Peace, be still!" Immediately all was quiet. The wind stopped and the lake was smooth. The men were surprised. They said, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and waves obey Him?" The reason Jesus could do this is because He is God.

Jesus came to reveal to us the truth about God. God says payment must be made for the debt of sin (for our sins). His anger is upon all who do not accept the payment Jesus made. They will be cast into Satan's fire when they die. But God loves all people. He does not want them to suffer in Satan's fire, so Jesus came from heaven to help us. Although He did no evil, He died for us (in our place). In this way, our sin payment was made. Because of this, all who follow Jesus and obey Him will not go to the place of fire. God will change their hearts, and they will no longer do evil continually. They will no longer be the slaves of Satan.*

They will be able to pray to God, and He will help them. He will put great joy into their hearts. When they die He will take them to His good home. There is no death there. There is no sorrow or trouble. There is no evil. No one is ever sick or hungry. Everyone is full of joy.

If you want to belong to God, talk to Him now. He will listen and change your heart. Then Jesus will enter your heart and be your friend. You will no longer desire to do evil. Jesus will put good desires in your heart. Because of this you will have great joy. You may talk to God now. Tell Him you are sorry that you have sinned. Thank Him for sending Jesus to bear your punishment for sin. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your friend. He will stay with you and help you.

*(If necessary this may end here with the following sentence: You who are listening, believe on Jesus and follow Him. He will fill your heart with peace and joy. He will give you new life. When you die He will take you to live with Him.)

** This can be left off. The miracle of throwing the nets on the right side of the boat happened much later (John 21) and the miracle that led to them following Him happened early on (Luke 5).