Why “Mending Nets”?

[Matthew 4:21: And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets]

This is a passage we are all familiar with, now take a look at this:

[1 Peter 5:10: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.]

Peter had encouraged his readers to endure suffering in such a way that the grace of God would be made manifest in their lives; God would perfect them.

What does this mean that God would perfect them? It is the word katartizO.

[Matthew 21:16: (The chief priests and scribes) said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?]

[Luke 6:40: The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.]

[2 Corinthians 13:11: Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.]

[1 Thessalonians 3:10: Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?]

[Hebrews 13:21: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen]

We see that perfect is best expressed by the English translation of words signifying being complete, sound, upright, blameless, or having obtained maturity.

[Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore [perfect] such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.]

[1 Thessalonians 3:10: Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?]

[Matthew 4:21: And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.]

That word in our original verse, “mending”, is the same word katartizO. No matter how much you feel that you are lacking or how damaged you feel that you have become, God can repair you.

I used to do commercial fishing and sometimes you would find some whopping big holes in those nets when something big, such as a sea lion, goes through it. However, it can be repaired, or made perfect, and used for good. We are commanded to mend or restore our faith. You are to help your Christian brother make his faith perfect. Why? 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight”. Hebrews 10:38 tells us, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons”.

Galatians 6:1 tells us that we might be overtaken in a fault, but we are also told that we can be made perfect or mended.

[2 Timothy 2:24-26: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.]

These are Christians who were faithful and have fallen away. Are we our brother’s keeper? Yes. Not only can God mend us and make our faith perfect, but we are to help our brothers and sisters make their faith perfect. As we are fishers of men, we may sometimes need to mend our nets, or help our fellow fishermen mend theirs.