Daily - 1/7/09

Luke 5:1-11

1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.

2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.

3 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.

4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."

5 Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets."

6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.

7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,

10 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."

11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Imagine that you’re Simon. You come in from a long day of fishing with nothing to show for your labor. You’re washing your net. Jesus walks up with a crowd converging on him. He gets into your boat and asks for your help, so you help. In doing so you become captive to his teaching – you’re stuck in the boat as Jesus speaks.

Christ presented himself to Simon, face to face. We’re not told about the teaching, but it must have resonated, because Simon immediately refers to Jesus as “Master,” and treated Jesus’ words as a command to be obeyed. This is worth noting – Christ shows himself and Simon submits in obedience, BEFORE the miracle. The catch comes in, Simon immediately responds that he is unworthy, and Christ tells him not to be afraid.

OK, so most of us aren’t going to get the same type of revelation that Christ gave to Simon, James, and John. But in one way or another, Christ revealed himself to each one of us. For me it happened over and over until I finally let it get through my thick skull. But he reveals himself, and once that happens, a choice eventually has to be made. Follow, or don’t. And for those who choose follow come these words – “Do not be afraid.”