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Good Morning Friends,
This morning God inspired me once again from the book of Luke! In Luke chapter 5 verse 1-11 there is a magnificent story of obedience, abundance, surrender, and great purpose! If you want a great picture of what our relationship with Jesus should be, friends look no further, this is it! Now, for those of you reading this on the run and your not able to grab your ole’ faithful Bible, I am going to bring you the text right here, because I don’t want you to miss it. So many times I think we scan over God’s Word and miss things, but don’t miss this. I highlighted sections I want to draw your attention to.
“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the Word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fisherman had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
But Simon answered and said unto Him, “Master we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your Word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land,they forsook all and followed Him. Luke 5:1-11
Please note: I am not a Bible scholar of any kind. So my comments reflect a young woman seeking to know God more. My comments purely reflect the wisdom I believe God wanted me to see and receive through my personal study time. So please study the passage yourself and see what God wants to show you.
What God showed me first was Jesus got in the boat with them and asked them to toss the nets a little off shore to first get their attention. It is here where he teaches them. Then, He asks them to do something somewhat strange. He asks them to launch out into the deep and let their nets down for a catch. There is a command here and a promise. The command was to launch into the deep, the promise was the catch! The definition of launch is to start or set in motion. He was telling them, get moving. Asking them to go into deep water could have been viewed as a little strange considering where they were fishing, but I believe that Jesus was illustrating something of great importance when He asked them to go deep. I believe it symbolized us going into a deeper relationship with Him, one that would have abundant blessings!
Sometimes what He asks us to do don’t make sense. Priscilla Shirer calls it a “Faith Place.” She states, “the faith place is stepping into a situation or circumstance where you put yourself into a position for God to have to come through.” For whatever reason, I don’t think this made sense to Simon. However, He chose obedience. He chose Faith. Simon told Jesus that they had toiled (worked extremely hard) all night and the result was nothing. Then Simon goes on to say but Master since this is what you ask of me, I will do it. This reflects obedience! By Simon obeying, it released power. The obedience was preparing the miracle to happen. By obedience, Simon was being brought personally into a sphere of Jesus’ mighty power! It is the same with us. We have the same opportunity that Simon had. Obedience. I so want you to grasp the depth (deep) of this word! This one word changes the course of your life. It’s supernatural, its beautiful, abundant in all ways. Freedom, Purpose, Abundance…all in one little word, Obedience.
When Jesus performs this miracle for Simon, he is astounded. He falls on his knees to show his unworthiness. He tells Jesus to depart from him because he is a sinful man and does not deserve such a blessing but Jesus knew Simon’s past. He did not come to judge him but to give him an opportunity. Jesus was after Simon’s hands, feet, heart, and very life. He was offering Simon hope. I think Jesus was displaying great love here. I just wonder what else was said that day that is not recorded in the Bible. I imagine it being something like this: Simon, you are my best catch. You have worked hard for many years (toiled) without any hope. I have come to give you hope. Toil now instead with me.
I wonder how many of you reading this feel like Simon. You have toiled all your life and feel like you have gotten no where…an endless cycle producing nothing… you have thought, surely there has got to be more to life than this. Well friends, there is!
The passage goes on to say when they arrived back to the shore they forsaked all… boats, fish, all! and followed after Jesus. It’s amazing to me that something they were working so hard for (fish) all of sudden didn’t matter at all to them! (I am shouting right now, Yes! Praise Jesus! Goose bumps and all.) Jesus gave them an opportunity to now be fishers of men. He tells them to not be afraid and that He would be with them. So, they forsake all and followed Him. Friends, this is the ultimate great catch! Are you ready for it? Do you want it? It is a call to a NEW COMPELLING LIFE.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? This is the greatest opportunity- Romans 10:9
If He is your Savior, have you experienced a “call” to discipleship? In our passage today, Jesus was seeking disciples. Will you be a disciple?
Who are the people in your life that have been instrumental in “deepening” your faith?
Friends, don’t delay. Let today be the day for your great catch!
In obedience and Love,
Jeannie