It is that time of year when my husband loves to fish. It’s still pretty chilly in the early mornings but if the fish are biting it doesn’t matter to him. He loves to fish but most of all he loves to catch. Unlike the fishermen in today’s devotion, his fishing is for pleasure but in Luke chapter 5 these men are fishing for a living. This puts a whole different meaning to their adventure. God uses their trade to teach them many things.
This lessson that Jesus was about to teach them changed their perspective. It was not for the masses to see God’s work, but for those close to Jesus. He is standing by the lake of Gennesaret. He was very tired from the preaching and the crowds following him. As he looked on the multitudes, he knew he needed a little distance away from the people so that all could hear him. While standing there, he noticed the fishermen washing their nets. He saw Simon Peter and proceeded to get in the boat and told him to launch out. Simon Peter obeyed, and Jesus preached.
Luke 5:1-3 “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.”
As he finished teaching, he instructs Simon Peter to throw out the nets. Simon, I’m sure was very tired and his response was, Master we have worked all night and we didn’t catch anything. Simon responds with “nevertheless,” in other words, I’ll obey, but I’m just telling you there’s nothing there. Sounds like us sometimes when we go on outreach. Ok Pastor, I’ll go but …. We are so quick to see things in the natural realm and forget that Jesus is the supernatural. However reluctant, Simon Peter draws in the net and much to his surprise and those with him he brings in a pile of fish!
Luke 5:4-9 “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 oiled 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:”
There are four things I think we can learn from this miracle.
First, know the word of God. Jesus stated in verse 1 the people were hungry for the word of God and Jesus response in verse 3 was to teach them. We must know what we are talking about if we are going to be an effective fisher of men. This will take study and prayer. Read the word and pray the for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to understand the truth.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Second, obey the word. We see Peter not believing that there will be any fish when he pulls up the net, but he obeys anyway. He gives excuses, such as, there’s no fish here, we are exhausted and by the way, we’ve been up all night. When we go fishing for men remember yielding to our fleshly excuses only breeds disobedience. If I would have been Jesus I would have thrown Simon Peter overboard, but I’m so glad that God does not act that way with me. Jesus himself was “obedient unto death” (Philippians 2:8) Matthew 16:24 we are told to take up our cross. That means obedience, and we show our love by obeying. John 14:15 says if we love him we will keep his commandments. If you are not obeying, I would ask you the same question Jesus ask in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not what I say.” Over and over I’ve seen people saved when simple obedience was practiced. When God blesses our obedience, he increases our faith which brings about point three.
Third, seeing God work when my faith was weak humbled my soul. It reminded me once again that we are to simply obey, and God does the saving. It is not my words or my charm that can change a heart. It is the power of the Holy Spirit working in people when I share the word. It is also a humbling experience to know that an Almighty God can use me.
Fourth, if you learn the word, obey the word, and submit to God, he will make you fruitful. When they pulled in the draught of fish. Jesus got their attention. They knew this was of God because they had fished all night and had nothing. Now, this miracle worker could use this miracle to help them understand their mission. They were to fish for the souls of men and he would provide the fish!
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.”
When was the last time you went fishing for men?
