Cleaning and Mending Your Nets

Fishing with nets in NC

“One of the most important skills of fishermen was making and mending nets. Made of linen, …, these nets had to be carefully cleaned and dried each day or they would quickly rot and wear out. The majority of a fisherman's life probably was spent mending nets (Luke 5:2). Net weights, small pieces of stone with holes drilled in them, were fastened to the bottom of the nets. This too took time.” (Laan, 2019)  Nets were necessary for catching fish.  Caring for them was an important part of being a fisherman.  To be equipped to be fishers of men, we need to take the time to grow and repair weak points in our lives.  We need to deal with the sins and bad attitudes that creep into our lives.  We need to be willing and ready for God to use us. Without time in God's Word and prayer, we will not be anchored to truth.  We do not want to pulled along by the current of the world away from God's truth.

If nets are not washed:

1. Dead fish, mud, and seaweed from off the bottom of the lake or sea get caught in the nets.  If not cleaned, rats would feed on the dead debris and chew on the nets, making big holes in them. (Mattoon)  When we allow sin to remain unconfessed or unnoticed by us, we open our lives to attack by Satan.  Sometimes we expose our hearts and minds to junk on T.V. or in movies or books that introduce sinful thought patterns.  If left unchecked, these grow into serious problem areas.


 2. If the net is not washed, the cord of the net will eventually rot and weaken the net, making it unreliable, ineffective, and useless. (Mattoon)  We need the washing of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.  Without care, our lives start to fall apart.  Time spent with other Christians with whom we have accountability is also important.  We are a team who support, challenge and encourage one another.

3. If the net is not cleaned, it will make the work of the fishermen much more difficult.  Debris hinders the ease of the movement of the net. (Mattoon)  We cannot be effective to go and minister to others if we are not right with God.


4. The net will frighten the fish if it is not clean. Fish can see a dirty net, even from a long distance. Because of its low location, the Sea of Galilee did not have a lot of movement and tidal flow to stir up the water. There was not a large amount of silt in this sea. The water was usually very clear, making it easier for the fish to see the nets and the boats. This is why most of the fishing was done at night in this region. (Mattoon)  People around us notice when something is wrong in our lives.  Why would they want to listen to someone who appears as a hypocrite or who has no difference in their life from the rest of the world?


Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 says,” Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’… And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”


The Greek word “equipping” (katartismos) comes from the verb “to mend” as used in Mark 1:19 where James and John are mending their nets. “They were equipping their nets to fulfill the purpose for which they had been created: to catch fish!  In a similar way, hearing the Word of God will often ‘mend’ you.  Its truths will impact you in such a way that God brings wholeness and healing to a hurting area of your life or to your relationships.  Through reading God’s Word, you become increasingly equipped for the purposes to which God has called you.  Its messages challenge you, reminding you of who you are, and call you to boldly use the gifts He has given you.” (Cordeiro, 2004)  Church, Bible studies, small groups, mentors, and retreats such as PTDEV week help us have insights, conviction, and give us a chance to refocus on truth and God's mission for our lives.

“Why does a fisherman mend his torn nets?  To throw them back in the sea to catch more fish!” (Cordeiro, 2004)  We want to have a life lived for Christ.  It is not enough to have one successful experience.  We should be ready for whatever opportunity God opens up for us.


‎The wise and experienced fisherman would regard net mending time not as down time but as a cost of doing business, as necessary as maintaining his boat, sail, or oars. If his net broke while fishing, it could not only allow his catch to escape, it could endanger his boat as the sudden release of weight could make the boat rock wildly. (Myers, 2012)  It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that the only important time is when we are serving and ministering to others.  Our main purpose is to know and worship God.  Our relationship with Him is of ultimate importance.  It is not time wasted, but a vital part of our lives.  It is what keeps us steady, safe, and healthy.  Time with other Christians is important too.  Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."  Encouragement, support, and correction from other Christians helps prepare us to be better at the job God has called us to do.

2 Cor. 7:1, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (ESV)  We need to be in the Word and in fellowship with God daily.  It is so easy to allow good things in our life to push out necessary time with God.  If we are not renewing our hearts, we will start to fall apart.  We will not be ready to fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.  As you plan vacation time, don't leave time with God out.  Part of being restored physically and emotionally involves being restored spiritually.

2 Tim. 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (ESV)   This is an ongoing job that requires some effort on our part.  We need to be alert to the needs in our hearts and lives.  We should be growing in our understanding of God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and guide us.


2 Tim. 2:21-25, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” (ESV)

Works Cited

Cordeiro, W. (2004). Doing Church as a Team. Ventura: Regal.

Laan, R. V. (2019). Focus on the Family. Retrieved from http://www.thatthewroldmayknow.com/they-left-their-nets-behind

Mattoon, D. R. (n.d.). Treasures From Luke, Volume 1. Wordsearch.

Myers, R. (2012). Images From the Temple Dictionary of the Bible. Faithlife.

Morehead City, NC