I woke up one morning thinking “Jesus mends nets”. I remembered that Jesus called James and John at the time when they were with their father in their fishing boat mending their nets (Math.4:21).Jesus’ purpose was to “mend” their lives by making them his disciples so that they would in turn “mend” other people’s lives, by becoming fishers of men. He is continuing God the Father’s “Mending Nets” business today through the power of the Holy Spirit in all the earth and at work within born again believers.

What do “nets” symbolically mean here? Our capabilities, mindsets, attitudes and emotions that have been afflicted or tattered by the enemy, whether before we become Christians or even during our Christian walk. This could have been either at home, school, church or work.

Some of these afflictions are from childhood through to adulthood because of what people did to us, also how we responded as well as what we were taught which has influenced our way of thinking, attitudes and understanding. Jesus came to do what he saw the Father doing or what God gave him the authority to do. His “mending nets” business is clearly expressed and summarised in Isaiah 61:1-3:

“1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning,festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. “(NLT)..

Such people, having been “mended” will be called in service as “menders” or rebuilders. As Jesus, their destinies are also expressed as follows: Isaiah 61:4:
4They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. (NLT).

Another scripture that comes to mind is Acts 10:38
“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (NLT).

In addition to healing the sick, the “Good” is all that Father God told Jesus to do in order to “mend” lives such as teachings (i.e perfecting the Law of Moses, how to pray), deliverance of the demon possessed and spending time with society’s rejects so that they know they are loved and valued. Jesus’ “mending” (restoring or rebuilding) business as we know is necessary for us to be saved and then grow to maturity as children of God, thus capable of fulfilling our God given identities and destinies. We each have a part to play in the Body of Christ and the world at large. Some people have found their God given purpose in life, some are on the way to doing so and others don’t have a clue. There are also those who think they do one day, but then they are not sure the next day!

Whatever category you fall into, know that God is at work in you however it may feel like or appear, to take you to even greater depths in your relationship with Him than you are experiencing right now. I sense God wants you to know that as long as you stay in His Word through study and obedience daily, you will receive all that He has for you and will fulfil your God given purpose. He will abide with you as you abide with Him (John 14:21,23).

The heavenly portals of revelation knowledge, wisdom and understanding will be open to you because of your obedience and faithfulness. This is my encouragement to you as I do to myself, that you would live a life of worship, singing praises unto God in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Pray fervently for all things at all times, always be determined to trust God giving thanks regardless of the circumstance and do all you can to live at peace with others, loving them as God loves you.

From experience, I know forgiveness is difficult, but if you are struggling be honest before God about the pain you have suffered and tell Him how you are finding it difficult to forgive but because you desire to obey His command that you forgive you choose to do so and ask for His supernatural power to enable this desire to be a reality. Nothing is impossible for our God,
Having “mended” us through salvation and raised us up, God is always on the look out for tears to our “nets”, the sooner we allow Him to mend then the better because the effective fulfilment of our mission is dependant on our wholeness.

©Deborah E. Nyamekye