Thursday, September 1, 2016

Luke 5: 1- 11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.

God holds the fishing pole. We are the worm on the hook. We are to be the most enticing worm we can be so we can attract as many fish as possible. This is how we become the fishers of men.

Desire is a strong motivator. It causes men to do all sorts of sinful actions; lie, steal, cheat, and commit adultery to name a few. As followers of Christ we are to use desire to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus. We are called to live our lives in such a way that people looking on us want what we have. What is the source of your joy? Why are you so happy? How can I get what you have? Good question. Let me introduce you to my friend, my Lord and Savior. Wiggle, wiggle goes the worm on the hook.

When Jesus asks you to put down into the deep do you trust him to do so or do you keep trust in yourself? God often asks us to do things that don’t make sense to us. He knows where the fish are and how to catch them. When God calls trust that he knows what he is doing.

A net let down in the deep catches fish of every shape, size, and species. It is indiscriminate. We are called to be likewise. We are called to serve all of God’s creation, not just the ones of our liking.