Matthew 4:20

When Jesus Calls, Leave the Nets

Matthew 4:20

«“And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” — Matthew 4:20 (KJV)»

There is something powerful about how simple this verse is.

Jesus had just called Simon Peter and Andrew, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Their response was immediate.

They left their nets.They followed Jesus.

There was no long explanation. No detailed plan. No guarantee about what would happen next. Jesus called—and they trusted Him enough to go.

The Nets They Left Behind

For Peter and Andrew, those nets represented more than fishing equipment. They represented their livelihood, their routine, their security, and the life they already knew.

Fishing was familiar.

Following Jesus was not.

Yet when Jesus called them, they were willing to release what was familiar to embrace what God had for them.

Sometimes we have our own “nets.”

They may be habits we have grown comfortable with. Plans we refuse to surrender. Relationships we know are pulling us away from God. Fear that keeps us from taking the next step. Or even the need to know exactly how everything is going to work out before we obey.

We can become so comfortable holding our nets that we miss the Savior standing in front of us saying, “Follow Me.”

Following Jesus Requires Trust

Peter and Andrew did not know everything that following Jesus would involve.

They did not know about the miracles they would witness.

They did not know about the storms.

They did not know about the crowds, the opposition, the cross, or the resurrection.

They simply knew Jesus had called them.

Sometimes we want God to show us the entire road before we take the first step.

But faith often works differently.

God says, “Follow Me.”

And we say, “Where?”

God says, “Trust Me.”

And we say, “But what happens next?”

We want certainty. God asks for faith.

What Are You Still Holding?

Matthew 4:20 makes me ask a difficult question:What net am I still holding onto?

Maybe God has been asking you to forgive someone, but you are still holding onto the hurt.

Maybe He has been calling you into something new, but fear keeps telling you that you aren’t ready.

Maybe you know there is something in your life that needs to change, but letting go feels uncomfortable.

Or maybe you have been waiting until you feel “good enough” to truly follow Jesus.

But Jesus didn’t tell Peter and Andrew to become perfect and then follow Him.

He called them as they were—and promised to make them into what He wanted them to become.

That is one of the beautiful things about following Christ.

We don’t transform ourselves and then follow Jesus. We follow Jesus, and He transforms us.

Sometimes Obedience Looks Like Letting Go

There will be things we cannot carry into the life God is calling us toward.

Peter and Andrew couldn’t follow Jesus while remaining in the same place holding tightly to their nets.

Neither can we.

Following Jesus may mean releasing our plans.

It may mean surrendering control.

It may mean walking away from something comfortable.

It may mean trusting God when we cannot see what comes next.

But whatever Jesus asks us to leave behind will never be more valuable than the One we are following.

The nets may feel safe.

Jesus is better.

A Question for Today

What is Jesus asking you to put down so that you can follow Him more closely?

You don’t have to understand the entire journey.

You don’t have to have every answer.

You simply have to trust the One who is calling you.

Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus.

And that one decision changed everything.

Maybe today God isn’t asking you to understand everything.

Maybe He’s simply asking you to take the next step.

Leave the net. Follow Jesus. Trust Him with where He leads.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to follow You. Show me the things I am holding onto that are keeping me from following You wholeheartedly. Give me the courage to surrender what is familiar, the faith to trust You when I cannot see what comes next, and the willingness to obey when You call. Help me remember that what I leave behind could never compare to what I gain by walking with You. Lead me, change me, and teach me to follow You one step at a time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Question

What “net” might God be asking you to let go of today so you can follow Jesus more freely?