The Fisherman’s Doubt: A Story from Peter’s Viewpoint
This story is a fictionalized retelling from the perspective of Peter, inspired by the biblical account in Luke 5:1-11. It seeks to imagine Peter’s thoughts and emotions as he experienced this miraculous encounter with Jesus. While the dialogue and reflections are creatively interpreted, the story remains faithful to the truth and message of Scripture.
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting its first light across the water. I stretched my sore arms and rubbed my tired eyes. Another long, empty night of fishing. No catch, no reward, and nothing to bring home. My mind was already set on calling it a day, cleaning up, and getting some rest. I hadn’t even noticed Jesus getting into my boat until I looked up and saw Him there, sitting calmly and looking out over the water.
He had been teaching the crowds that morning, and the people just kept coming. They leaned in to hear Him, pressing so close that the water was almost at their feet. That’s when Jesus asked me if I would take Him out on the lake, just far enough so that everyone could see and hear. I agreed, of course. How could I say no to the man who had already done so much, healing the sick and preaching about God’s kingdom? I pushed the boat out a bit, dropped anchor, and let Him do what He did best.
When He finished, I thought we’d row back in, finally call it a day. But then Jesus turned to me and, with a smile, said, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). I don’t think He realized just how many hours we’d already spent out here or how those nets, now dry and empty, felt like a symbol of the night’s failure.
I hesitated. “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing” (Luke 5:5). I hoped He would understand. But as I looked into His eyes, I could see there was more He wanted me to learn here than just how to fill a net with fish. There was a look of calm confidence on His face, like He already knew what lay beneath those waters. I could feel my own reluctance melting away in His presence. And so I found myself saying, “But I will do as You say and let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).
As soon as the net hit the water, I felt it. A weight, pulling and stretching the ropes like I’d never felt before. I couldn’t believe it! The net was so full that it began to tear. I yelled for my partners in the other boat to come quickly, and together we pulled up enough fish to fill both boats. There was so much that our boats began to sink under the load (Luke 5:6-7). I was amazed, overwhelmed, and—honestly—humbled.
In that moment, I realized I was standing before someone holy, someone who knew the depths of more than just the sea. I fell to my knees, feeling unworthy. “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). I had doubted, clung to my own understanding, stayed in the shallow safety of what I thought I knew.
But Jesus didn’t turn away. Instead, He simply looked at me and said, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10).
I still remember the weight of those words. “Do not fear.” That was what He wanted to teach me. To trust Him, not just in fishing but in everything. To believe that if He called me to go deeper, even when it didn’t make sense, He would provide.
When we finally got the boats to shore, I left everything to follow Him. The nets, the fish, the life I’d known—all of it seemed small compared to the journey He was calling me on. I realized that with Jesus, I’d never have to stay in the shallow waters again. Where He was leading, there was abundance, purpose, and a closeness to God that I’d only begun to understand.
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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”
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I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.