1. The Call to “Go Out into the Deep and Let Down the Nets” and the Mission of a Disciple
The scene in which Jesus stands by the Lake of Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee), as described in Luke 5:1-11, is an event we already know well from various Gospels. However, Luke 5 provides a more detailed and vivid account compared to Matthew 4. In particular, the command, “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4), and the declaration, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10) directly illustrate the concrete mission of those who are called as disciples. This scene dramatically reveals the turning point at which ordinary people—fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John—become “fishers of men.”
Pastor David Jang interprets Jesus’ words, “Go out into the deep water, and let down the nets,” as practical instructions to fulfill our ‘heavenly mandate’ and the Great Commission. The transition (轉移) from a fisherman who catches fish to one who catches men represents a leap to an unimaginably higher dimension that human effort or knowledge alone could never conceive. Thus Peter, struck with awe, says, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8), and Jesus responds, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). In Luke 5:1-11, we see how the disciple, who has just been called, experiences fear and excitement at once, as well as Jesus’ prophecy that they will walk a path entirely different from their past.
Here, we must once again meditate on the instruction, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets.” It goes beyond simply catching fish. For some, it can be a decisive calling in the midst of life, a moment to confirm the vocation they have received. The event by the Lake of Gennesaret poses a fundamental question that continually repeats in our own lives: For what purpose do we truly live, and to what end have we been called? Jesus told His disciples—who were fishermen—“Go out to the deep water.” To those who were discouraged after fishing in shallow water and failing all night, cleaning their nets in despair, Jesus paradoxically says to go back out to sea and let down the nets once more. Even though Peter confesses the reality, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5), a single word from the Lord overturns the entire situation.
According to Pastor David Jang, this is precisely the paradoxical truth that unfolds within faith. Realistically, there may be times when our situation is, “I’ve already tried—I’ve done everything I could—and it didn’t work. I came up empty.” This often applies to mission fields and evangelistic efforts. No matter how hard we strive, sometimes there seems to be no visible result, no apparent fruit. But when we once again obey the Lord’s word—“Go out into the deep”—we can experience a miracle in which the nets become so full that they begin to break. This historical yet symbolic event is what launches the disciples on their journey to become “fishers of men.”
In fact, Peter’s reply—“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5)—contains an important principle. Even though all human experience and knowledge, along with an exhausted body and mind, concluded that it was “useless,” faith in God’s Word made him obey once more. As a result of letting down the nets according to Jesus’ command, they caught so many fish that the nets began to break. They had to call their partners in the other boat for help, and both boats were so filled with fish that they began to sink. This abundance symbolizes the blessings that come when we move according to the Lord’s Word. The same pattern applies to the ministry of evangelism. Saving souls and leading them to God is not accomplished by human power or wisdom but wholly through obedience to His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Upon seeing this sight, Peter says, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). This was not merely because he felt a sense of guilt; it arose from a profound realization that in the presence of such power, he himself could do nothing—that his life was small and insignificant. Before the Almighty Lord, he felt keenly how limited his self-reliant life truly was. Yet Jesus opens a new path for him, saying, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). From a human perspective, being invited into a dimension so vastly different can be intimidating and unfamiliar. But wherever the Lord’s promise and command are present, fulfillment is assured.
We must accept Jesus’ words as our calling today. Applying this scene to the context of evangelism, we realize that issues of daily sustenance—“What shall we eat?”—are intimately connected with the spiritual mission of “saving souls.” Throughout church history, Jesus’ statement, “I will make you fishers of men,” has been cherished as a core verse for evangelism and missions. Churches have experienced revival grounded in this word, and many believers have learned obedience and devotion through it. Pastor David Jang calls Jesus’ command to “go out into the deep” an unchanging divine calling that stretches across “every generation” and “every corner of the world.”
Another noteworthy perspective in this text is that the process of discarding the identity of a “fisherman” and taking on the identity of a “fisher of men” happens very quickly. We generally assume that a major turning point in life requires a long period of time, but when Jesus said to Peter, “Put out into the deep water,” he responded, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” In that single moment, he experienced a powerful event that became the decisive trigger for entering the path of discipleship. Finally, “they left everything and followed Jesus” (Luke 5:11). This doesn’t necessarily mean they never fished again; rather, it means that from that point on, their life’s priority and ultimate purpose were centered on God’s kingdom and the salvation of souls. The very meaning of “casting nets” was transformed.
Indeed, Jesus’ command redefines an individual’s entire life. The nets are no longer meant merely for fish but are cast for people; no longer just for daily bread but for the salvation of souls. This shift—from “having labored all night and caught nothing” to “experiencing a wonderful victory by relying on the Lord’s Word”—contains a significant message for us. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that although the methods of catching fish and of saving souls may appear somewhat similar, in reality they belong to entirely different realms. Nonetheless, Jesus uses these images so that anyone can easily grasp the Gospel. This is the storytelling characteristic of the Gospels and the heart of Jesus’ teaching method.
Seminary students or church workers often preach on the phrase, “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets.” The reason is simple: the evangelistic field is like “deep water,” a place that can appear utterly impossible for us. There are moments when all our efforts seem in vain and yield no results. In those times—when many are losing sight of the essence of church and the Gospel, or leaving the mission field behind—Jesus’ words awaken the church once more. Though we may grow weary from fruitless labor, those who “let down their nets again in reliance on His Word” will experience an unexpected abundance.
Building on this interpretation, Pastor David Jang has presented a concrete vision for how to “go out into the deep” in church ministry, missions, and education. For instance, in establishing Great Commission University (GCU), the aim was not just to transmit knowledge but also to satisfy the spiritual thirst of students and train them to be sent forth to world missions. If church education has become trapped in formality and tradition, it’s time to revisit the “deep waters”—namely, the mandate to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)—and to carry it out in real and practical ways.
Pastor David Jang encourages churches, various ministry organizations, and people in business to “go out into the deep and cast the net” to experience God’s work. Instead of remaining within our comfort zone—“the shallow waters”—he urges us to move toward the vast and daunting sea. Though it may involve an unknown challenge and the fear of failure, he teaches that where the Lord is present, and where His Word is given, astounding victory is guaranteed by faith.
Thus, in Luke 5:1-11, the core is not so much that “the catch of fish itself was a miracle,” but that the fishermen received a call to a whole new dimension, obeyed, and thereby witnessed “God’s kingdom” at work. The transition from empty nets to nets bursting with fish—driven by courageous obedience and complete trust in the Lord’s Word—results in a radical transformation in which the disciples come to live as “fishers of men.” Pastor David Jang says that the decision of the disciples to respond enthusiastically to this call, leaving everything behind to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11), applies to believers today. That calling should not lead us to a passive attitude of praying and waiting inside the church, but rather to an active stance of going into the world for evangelism and missions.
The central theme of this event can be summed up in one question: “For what purpose has the Lord called us?” The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:26, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.” Those who are called are set apart to be used for God’s glory. And this takes concrete shape when we carry out the command, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets.” Our vocation should not be limited to worship and service within the church but should focus on saving souls and bringing life in every area of our daily existence.
At the same time, we should pay attention to the disciples’ initial fear. Before hearing, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men,” Peter experienced a sense of “vague terror” concerning a greater world he did not know. From his perspective, a fisherman’s life was all he knew—he had his own way of survival and perhaps some degree of satisfaction. Becoming a “fisher of men” meant entering a completely different ecosystem. Yet that fear must transform into excitement and hope. Before God calls us to broader horizons, we must depart from our old comfort zones. This symbolism is repeated in each individual’s spiritual journey.
“Go out into the deep water and let down your nets” may initially bring to mind our past failures or fears. Like Peter’s remark, “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything,” we may be bound by memories of repeated attempts that ended in failure. But God’s Word operates beyond our deficiencies and weaknesses. When we decide, “Because You say so, I will let down the nets,” we finally experience the supernatural fruit in our lives. There, Peter confesses, “I am a sinful man.” Perhaps before this, he was proud of his fishing knowledge, his skills gained from years of work, and his familiarity with the sea. But the Lord’s single command changes all human calculations and predictions. At that moment, we realize our limitations and brokenness, and we bow before Him, calling ourselves “sinners.” Yet this confession need not lead to condemnation or despair; it becomes a gateway to a new dimension.
In that sense, Pastor David Jang teaches that only when we humble ourselves before the Lord and obey can we advance to deeper waters and broader visions that God opens for us. The lesson applies not just to personal faith but also to the entire ministry of the church and the expansion of God’s kingdom. On the mission field—especially overseas, among cultures, languages, and customs that are entirely different—we may repeatedly pull up empty nets. Our knowledge or strategies often fail. But when the Lord says, “Now go out to the deep,” or “Try a new way,” the one who obeys ultimately sees abundant fruit.
Pastor David Jang extends this same logic to the realms of art, music, business, academia, and social service. For example, an artist might ponder how to convey God’s message through their work; a musician might explore how to conduct ministry that transcends the boundary between sacred music and secular music to touch the deepest hearts of people. Businesspeople might consider how to use economic activities to lead more people to the Lord. At the center of all these endeavors must be “the Lord’s Word,” because our enthusiasm or human methods alone have clear limitations.
Luke 5 illustrates that when we obey Jesus’ unfamiliar instruction, we can break past old experiences or failures and discover a completely different calling. This calling quickly leads to “From now on you will catch men,” a great promise not only for the disciples but for all Christians today. To live as a “fisher of men” is to “save lives.” The church exists to save as many souls as possible, and believers must utilize their talents and time for this mission.
If we forget the command “Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets,” it is like salt losing its saltiness (Matthew 5:13). When salt loses its saltiness, it is thrown out and trampled underfoot. We must remain aware that the church’s mission and the believer’s mission are all about evangelism and missions—about saving souls. No matter how large a church may grow, how financially stable it becomes, or how diverse its programs may seem, if it neglects the essential mission of saving people, it is the same as salt losing its saltiness. Just as the first disciples felt fear at the enormity of their calling, we too may feel anxious. However, Jesus still says, “Do not be afraid.”
Carrying that calling and promise in our hearts, when we step out into a new dimension, we finally break free from “empty nets” and enjoy spiritual abundance. Evangelism and missions are never accomplished by human schemes or expertise alone. We may toil all night and catch nothing. But with one word from Jesus, the door to God’s kingdom is thrown open. This happened to those Galilean fishermen, and it can be reenacted in the spiritual reality of our lives today—this is the power of the Gospel.
2. The Time of Harvest and the Vision of Saving Souls
In Matthew 9:35-38, we see Jesus going through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. Then follows the statement, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus sees directly into the condition of the people’s souls, pointing out that they are wandering like sheep without a shepherd. Immediately afterward, He gives the famous metaphor about the harvest and the workers: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Pastor David Jang combines this passage with the “fisher of men” metaphor in Luke 5 to highlight the same mission of spreading the Gospel and saving souls. While the act of “catching fish” in the Sea of Galilee symbolizes evangelism, the agricultural image—“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”—represents reaping souls from the land. The sea can be rough and deep, while the field is wide open beneath the sun. Though these images differ, both point to “saving people and giving them life.”
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” remains as relevant today as in any period of church history. Even now, there is a vast expanse waiting for the Gospel, and countless souls outside the church are wandering like sheep without a shepherd. Yet the issue of “few workers” continues to persist. Sometimes, churches focus on bigger buildings and more programs but fail to raise up “workers” to gather each individual soul. Evangelism and missions often become tasks relegated to “someone else” or areas of complacency. However, Jesus says, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers,” thereby giving us the challenge to train up and send out workers.
These workers are the same “fishers of men” described in Luke 5. Jesus called ordinary fishermen from Galilee, transforming them into apostles who changed the course of world history. Although they were neither the intellectual elite of their time nor political or religious authorities, by answering Jesus’ call with obedience, they became the pivotal workers who spread the Gospel throughout the world. They proclaimed the kingdom of heaven and forgiveness of sins, the message Jesus Himself had taught. This principle applies just as much to the modern church. Even today, God can speak into our ordinary lives: “From now on you will catch men.” His lament that “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” still rings in our hearts, urging the church to cultivate and send out those workers.
Pastor David Jang insists that to rekindle this sense of mission, the minds of pastors, theologians, and regular believers alike must be renewed. We must break free from the individualistic perspective that says, “As long as I have my own faith and my salvation is assured, that’s enough,” and place the Great Commission—“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)—at the center of our lives. According to Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” He then promised, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is never “a lonely journey”—the Lord Himself walks it with us.
The time for harvest is now. We often say, “We’re not yet ready. Maybe someday…” and postpone it. But Jesus declares, “The harvest is plentiful,” meaning the fields are ripe for harvest right now if only the workers are prepared. The problem is the shortage of workers, which strongly suggests that Christ is telling believers, “Therefore, you go.” In the history of Gospel proclamation, when people have gone first, risking their own lives in devotion, new regions and cultures have been reached, and churches established.
Herein lies the importance of the prayer, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers.” But it should not end with prayer alone. Often those who pray are themselves called to be the answer. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that if you pray, you should also be ready to become one of those workers. Prayer is not only a channel to communicate with God’s heart but also a catalyst for change in our own lives. In both the Old and New Testaments, God consistently revealed His will to those who prayed and called them to concrete obedience. Think of Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah. Each recognized their own lack, yet rose to obey God’s commands. Isaiah’s confession—“Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)—reflects this spirit.
The fishermen in Luke 5 followed a similar path. They had worked through the night and caught nothing, yet by obeying Jesus’ word to let down their nets again, they saw a miracle. This miracle wasn’t limited to an abundant catch of fish; it led them to ask, “What must I do next?” And they immediately left their boats and nets to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus meant reprioritizing their entire lives. In so doing, they became harvest workers and fishers of men, playing a crucial role in laying the foundation of the church.
Pastor David Jang teaches that this same path is laid out for today’s church and believers. We must soberly acknowledge our “empty nets” and trust in the Lord’s Word to cast them once more. “Empty nets” can refer not only to a lack of success in evangelism or slow church growth; it can also symbolize our own spiritual distance from God, a lack of longing for His Word, or a church that fails to be salt and light in society, content within its own walls. Such conditions reflect spiritual emptiness. Yet even at those moments, the Lord still says, “Go out into the deep!”—in other words, obey the Word again.
The harvest field always requires fresh challenges. Clinging to outdated forms of worship or old evangelistic methods might hinder the effective communication of the Gospel to newer generations and cultures. The core message of the Gospel—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins—never changes. But how we deliver it and the “deep waters” into which we must venture vary from age to age.
At the same time, Matthew 9 shows us how Jesus actually carried out His ministry: going through all the towns and villages, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. Jesus did not stay in one place, passively waiting for people to come. He went right into the midst of their daily lives, saw their pain, and healed their diseases. This example teaches us that we, too, must go to where people actually live, to places where suffering and brokenness abound. We must meet them with open hearts and preach the love of Jesus and the Gospel.
Pastor David Jang emphasizes that churches must not remain bound to a “building-centered” or “program-centered” mindset. While having a place of worship and various programs can be beneficial for nurturing believers, the parable of the harvest reminds us that reaping occurs in the field. As crops ripen in the fields, so do souls await the Gospel in society at large. For the church to truly care for these souls, it must step into its local community, its city, and even other nations and cultures. We are to remember Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men,” as we sow seeds of the Gospel and bring in the harvest.
The statement, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” challenges each of us with, “Therefore, you go.” How long will we wait for someone else to do it? Each individual must recognize that they themselves are called to be workers in their own environment. This calling is not just for pastors or missionaries; it is the Great Commission for the entire church community. Some will minister in their workplaces, others in the arts, others in education, and still others in business—wherever their talents and opportunities lie, they can fulfill the role of “fishers of men.”
Pastor David Jang refers to this as an “expanded paradigm of missions across various fields.” In the past, “missionaries” referred primarily to those who traveled overseas to preach the Gospel. But now, every realm of society is a mission field in need of the Gospel: media, culture, the arts, education, IT, business—any place where people need to hear the good news. And because Jesus Himself said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers,” the church must raise up these workers and send them out.
Matthew 9’s “harvest” metaphor and Luke 5’s “fishers of men” metaphor share the same theme. The first is to have the heart of God—the compassion for souls. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they were “harassed and helpless.” This reflects more than physical suffering; it highlights their spiritual exhaustion and lack of direction. Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against predators, unable to find their way if they get lost. Today, many are lost in meaninglessness or wandering in darkness. The church cannot afford to ignore this reality if it is to remain true to the Gospel.
Second, actual “workers” are needed to bring in these souls. The church must not stop at feeling love and pity but must possess the practical ability to carry out the work. The Word must be preached, evangelistic doors must be opened, and souls who enter the church must be discipled until they too become harvest workers, creating a virtuous cycle. This cycle is precisely what it means to obey the command, “Go out into the deep and let down your nets.” The church shares the blessing of nets that are about to burst, and continues in prayer and dedication to save even more people.
Pastor David Jang contends that a truly active church should not be limited to sermons and worship. It must engage in education, training, community service, and specialized ministries in order to connect with the world. Jesus, who taught in the synagogues and also moved through towns and villages healing the sick, provides our modern template for effectively sharing the Gospel. We must listen to people’s real needs, empathize with their pain, and serve them with love as the first step. Then we must move on to address their ultimate spiritual thirst, proclaiming the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The phrase “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” does not merely apply to people long ago. In our modern age, mental and spiritual emptiness, depression, addiction, relational conflicts, and materialistic worldviews abound. In these circumstances, when the church testifies to Jesus—the true Shepherd—and His Gospel, many will find freedom and peace. That is the clearest understanding and application of “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” In responding to this call for workers, each of us must reflect on our own stance. Are we saying, “Lord, I’m not qualified. Someone else must go,” or are we responding, “Yes, Lord, I will be that worker”?
What the church needs today is the passion of “fishers of men” and the wisdom of “harvest workers.” If we grasp the value of a single soul returning to God, we cannot treat this mission lightly. Indeed, our earthly mandate—The Great Commission—is rooted in this. Pastor David Jang refers to it thus: “The ultimate goal of evangelism is to manifest God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.” For that kingdom to be realized, we must obey Jesus’ command to “make disciples of all nations,” baptizing them and teaching them to observe His commands, all while praying for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power.
Ultimately, Luke 5 and Matthew 9 converge on one conclusion: “Go and gather people—catch souls.” Using different images—one from fishing, one from farming—both passages reveal Jesus’ heart and the church’s mission. As Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). When we contemplate God’s calling, we see that it is directed at “the salvation of souls.” When we answer that call with “Amen,” the church becomes salt that does not lose its saltiness and a light that shines in the darkness. Through faithful and wise servants who “give them their food at the proper time” (Matthew 24:45), the world will see that it need no longer be “sheep without a shepherd,” but can instead experience the joy of returning to the Good Shepherd.
When we see the empty nets become abundantly full in the deep waters, and watch wandering sheep return to God’s flock, we recognize that the call remains alive for us all. At the center of our lives, we must again trust the Word and let down our nets, and we must also decide to gather those sheep who are without a shepherd. According to Pastor David Jang, the most crucial factor in all this is “obedience that overcomes fear.” No matter how dire the circumstances or how inadequate our abilities may seem, when the Lord’s command arrives, the act of obedience marks the beginning of great works. Those who experience these works will proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and in the harvest field, abundant grain awaits its Master.
This is the insight we gain when we read together the phrases, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets,” and, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” One metaphor is set on the sea, the other on the land, yet both convey God’s plan of redemption. The roles of “fisher of men” and “harvest worker” belong to us all. When we, like Peter, confess, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets,” our empty nets will be filled to bursting, and we will remember again that the church must serve as a refuge and light for the world. Furthermore, as we approach lost sheep with the love of Jesus, the heart of our compassionate Shepherd will become ours, and the true harvest will begin. Throughout it all, God will faithfully keep His promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Luke 5’s account of the miraculous catch and Matthew 9’s harvest parable remind us that the church’s calling and the believer’s mission cannot be partial or passive. We are to spread the Gospel to all nations, all sectors, and all people—to cast the net, reap the harvest, and work toward the expansion of God’s kingdom. Pastor David Jang, among many pastors, theologians, and devoted believers, has endeavored to apply these words not merely as a “good parable” or “teaching” but as a reality in daily life. We, too, must take this call seriously in our respective contexts.
Fear may be present. Our shoulders may be weighed down by memories of having “toiled all night and caught nothing.” Some may say, “Now is not the time,” or argue that “the church has lost its influence,” or “the world rejects the Gospel,” fueling skepticism. Despite all this, Jesus continues to command, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets.” He says the harvest is plentiful and calls us to be those workers. Like Peter, we can confess our sinfulness yet rise up in the grace God provides.
Pastor David Jang urges the church not to cling merely to past revival experiences or numeric growth but to bear witness to the living power of the Gospel for the next generation. In times of dramatic cultural and civilizational shifts, more people will experience “toiling all night and catching nothing.” Precisely then, the church must go to the deep waters of the human soul, preaching “Jesus, the giver of living water,” to those who are lost and proclaiming salvation to the “sheep without a shepherd.” While this may be challenging and fear-inducing, the authority and presence of Jesus remain with us, enabling us to accomplish it.
Reflecting again on these words, we reaffirm the urgency of saving souls and the mission already entrusted to us. Luke 5 shows us the calling of “fishers of men,” Matthew 9 depicts the urgency of the “harvest,” and Matthew 28:19-20 proclaims the “Great Commission.” They are not separate stories but intimately connected. With this great calling in mind, the church must nurture workers and advance into the world. Only when the church and each believer accepts the promise, “You will catch men,” do we escape the predicament of empty nets and share in the joy of a bountiful catch. And in the harvest season, as those wandering like lost sheep return to Jesus, we will witness the reality of God’s kingdom expanding. All of it is accomplished not by human strength, but through “obedience to the Word” that opens the way.
Thus, we must return to the fundamental question: “Why does the church exist?” The acts of catching fish and gathering the harvest both signify the salvation of souls. If the church forgets this primary purpose, it quickly slides toward secularization. Worship can become a mere event, service can become self-serving, and fellowship can degenerate into a closed social club. Yet if we heed the commands, “Put out into the deep and let down the nets,” and, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” we will not remain stagnant but continue to advance. Like Peter, we will once again hear the Lord’s command by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, see our nets overflowing, and stand in awe of God’s work.
Throughout this journey, we must remember Jesus’ promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Despite our fear and weakness, as long as the Lord of the harvest is with us, we can become fishers of men, proclaim the Shepherd’s voice to sheep without a shepherd, and fulfill the Great Commission that leads us to the ends of the earth. Many, including Pastor David Jang, live this out worldwide, “letting down their nets in deep waters.” May we also overcome our fears and heed His command.
Such is the message that Luke 5:1-11 and Matthew 9:35-38 present to us today. With one metaphor drawn from fishing and another from farming, both passages challenge us to understand why the church and believers must devote themselves to the task of saving people. If we remain true to that goal, the church stays salty and the lamp shines in the darkness. When faithful and wise servants “give them their food at the proper time” (Matthew 24:45), the world will no longer wander as lost sheep but will return to Jesus, experiencing the joy of harvest. May “Put out into the deep water and let down the nets” and “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” penetrate our hearts, ushering in a new beginning for each of us and for the church as a whole.