Jonah knew Simon was a leader. He knew Simon would take the helm of the family business. He had no idea his son would one day help shape the history of the world. Simon hailed from generations of fishermen who toiled on the Sea of Galilee and passed the trade to their sons. Along with his older brother, Andrew, they proudly accept the mantle and assume ownership of their father’s company at a young age. Simon wanted to live an ordinary fisherman’s life and perhaps pass the trade on to his sons, but living under Roman rule meant life was neither ordinary nor was it peaceful. The oppressors frequently harassed the locals, forced the Israelites to carry their heavy armor one mile, and aggressively searched homes for alleged conspirators. Rumors grew of a potential uprising, which forced the Romans to tighten their already iron-like grip on the locals and reinstitute the most feared punishment, crucifixion. In so doing, the occupying forces’ actions aggravated the strained relationships with the Israelites. When the focus became the fishing industry, Simon being one of the most profitable fishermen, became one of their frequent targets. Feeling helpless against the constant harassment and frequent tax increases, Simon fervently prays for Messiah to deliver them from the grip of Rome. When Messiah arrives, Simon finds him difficult to accept as the Saviour is not what he or anyone expects. The Fisherman ushers us into Simon’s life as a boy, where he learns the fishing trade through his tumultuous teen years and into early adulthood. We come face to face with the personal pains, losses, and successes that shaped Simon into the man Jesus calls.