Lessons from the life of Jesus- 8
August 9, 2014
Luke 5:1-9 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, 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 was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken.
This morning we look at the way Jesus influenced the people around him. In this story Jesus is about to interrupt the normal expectation of Peter’s day. Peter fished all night and was washing the nets when Jesus showed up. God like to show up uninvited. Somehow we think Jesus comes when we invite Him. Jesus didn’t wait for Peter to invite him to his fishing business. When God shows up like this he is looking for a response. He asked Peter to stop what he was doing and allow him to use his boat. It almost looks like Jesus is intruding into the normal day activities of the fisher men. Well you are right. When he shows up he interrupts what we see as usual and brings something that will change the outcome of our day.
The second thing I see from this passage is the fact that Jesus is asking Peter to do something that looks like it is impossible. Think about Peter for a second. He must be tired because he fished all night. He wants to go home and sleep and be prepared for the next night of fishing. Now he is asked to go back to fish when it is known that fishing happens at night. The command that Jesus was giving Peter was changing his place of failure into a place of abundance. The outcome of yesterday is not what determines the outcome for today when the word of God shows up. God is speaking to you today and it is changing what you have failed at yesterday and it is putting the favor of God on your life for today. God can change the season of failure into a season of abundance if you agree to follow His command.
Once Peter put his nets in the water abundance happened. A lot of people believe the word spoken to them but they never put a net in the water. What I am trying to say is that we have to do something and participate with God if we want to see God change our circumstances. There is something we can do. Sitting on your backside and believing does not do a lot for change. What is out there that you can do so that God can bless you? As sons we have an inheritance that we don’t have to do anything for, but as servants of the most high God we work and labor with faithfulness and experience his blessings on the work of our hands. Peter did something and the word spoken to him brought the blessing. Welfare is not a kingdom principle. That is mans way of blessing laziness and people that don’t want to do it for themselves. Faithfulness is the kingdom way of blessing the ones in need. God blesses us and then we bless those in need.
When Peter acted on the word he had to call for help and there was enough for him and his partners. The blessing resulting from obedience extends to the ones you want to bless. I want you to see that when God blesses there is always abundance. God is not skimpy and frugal with what he does. You will never have to wonder about the way he saved you. You are not: barely saved. He did it all and saved you all the way and will bless you all the way to the extend that you will be a blessing to others.
Lastly I see Peter confessing he is a sinful man. Did Jesus talk to him about being a sinner? Not that we know of. Look at what this scripture in Romans says:
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
I believe that when Peter realized that God blessed him and he understood the goodness of God he repented. There is a key in this as we hear the world questioning God’s goodness. What will lead them to repentance? History has proven that when people prosper they turn away from God. Remember what happened to Peter. Jesus showed him that his past experience does not determine his present outcome. Even if people turned away from God in the past, I declare that when people see the goodness of God they will turn to Him in this season.
Luke 5:10-11 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
They left everything and followed Jesus. What an impact Jesus must have made on them. It only took one time for them to make that decision. My prayer is that you will experience such an encounter with Jesus today that it will make you leave everything and follow Jesus. Remember that your past does not determine your future. What do you say yes too today? Jesus is here to interrupt your schedule and you didn’t have to invite him to do it.
