I’ve been meditating on the word of God recently and I’m around the gospel of Luke. Luke chapter 5 to be precise. It’s been a long time since I blogged about my thoughts and meditations on God’s Word even if I read it daily.
The chapter starts with Jesus meeting the fishermen who just finished working all night trying to catch fish. They were now washing their nets and preparing perhaps to go to rest.
He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. – Luke 5:2
He asked for a little help from one of the fishermen. Particularly Simon Peter.
Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. – Luke 5:3
After he had finished teaching the crowds, he gave a command to Simon.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” – Luke 5:4
And Simon of course, not knowing who Jesus was yet, was doubtful that a carpenter would know more about fishing than a fisherman who spent his whole life fishing in the same lake.
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” – Luke 5:5
The shock of his life happened when they received probably the biggest catch and payout of their lives – not just him but his partners as well in the other boat. They might even be wondering if their nets and boat would not make it to shore because it began to break. And their boats began to sink!
And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. – Luke 5:6-7
That’s when Simon realized that it is the Lord Christ right in front of him.
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”– Luke 5:8
All the mind-blowing blessing of this one blown-up financial miracle in Simon’s life made him amazed and he was in awe.
For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. – Luke 5:9
Those who were with him were also amazed. And finally, Jesus commissioned them their future work.
His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. – Luke 5:10 – 11
They were going to bring men into the Kingdom of God. And for this reason, they left the world behind. All they own and all they held dear – buried. So that they can follow Jesus wherever he went.
I am so moved by this story even if I have read it numerous times by now – more so because I’ve bee doing business for 13 years now. There are so many things that the world has to offer – it will never really run out of stuff and experiences that you can buy.
But the thing is, all these things pale in light of the creator and master. Simon and his partners had their catch of a lifetime! And yet not one moment after that, they left all they had to follow the giver and provider of the blessing.
How do you and I respond to God’s provisions and goodness in our lives? Many of us are blessed with a lot and God has provided for us much more than we need.
And all of us are commissioned to bring men into the Kingdom of God.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19 – 20
Yet are we actively doing that? What have we left behind and sacrificed for the Lord to follow Him and to fulfill his commission in our lives?
I hope you find that out sooner than later.
