Intro: How do you handle instruction, direction, or criticism when you are working on a project around others? The world is filled with people who have different levels of knowledge, experience, or expertise to share. We will always run into folks who “know” how to do things better and are willing to tell us so. It is wise to simply listen and consider the information, because God may be trying to get our attention in order to reveal something about Kingdom life beyond our initial surface impression. It is also wise to remember, every single day Jesus is trying to teach us the deeper lessons of life by how we respond to the love of God and turn to love one another.
In our passage today from the gospel of Luke, Jesus chooses to call his first disciples—four fishermen. Now, with authority and instruction, Jesus begins to demonstrate the gospel of grace by taking over the boats of these fishermen. Then, he goes a step further by telling these fishermen how to catch fish. Is Jesus a fisherman? Nope; and they do not know more about him than what they have seen or heard thus far. Jesus then directs Peter to do something he is not interested in doing—going back out to fish when he just returned. Peter has human wisdom about this fishing situation, but he is about to learn the truth, work, and grace of God beyond his present understanding. Jesus is setting this fisherman up to be schooled! Jesus is moving Peter and the fish in the same direction! lol!
Our lesson teaches us about the abundance of grace that moves us deeper into a greater measure of dependence and trust in the Word of God. Be listening and willing to go into the deeper waters of love and truth, today. The experience Peter and his friends had in the love and grace of God that day was so powerful they left everything behind to follow Jesus. On this Valentine’s Day, please remember Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus died so humanity could enjoy life with God—this is the greatest love story ever told!
Luke 5:1-11 NLT The First Disciples
5 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 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.
4 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.”
5 “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.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 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.
8 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.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 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!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this wonderful lesson about the importance of seeing each day as a place of learning more about you and the power of your grace. Help us to respond humbly to your direction for our lives. Holy Spirit, cause our spiritual ears to be astute to the instruction you bring and continue to reveal blessings upon blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.