Inspired by: LGG’s / He Sees, He Knows, He Cares / w2d2
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:31-5;11; SOAP / Luke 5:8-11
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s business partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people!” 11 So when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:8-11 NET
Oh, how I hope you read the full passage today (and everyday) as each day has so much to offer. For as Paul wrote, “All Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness; so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” But honestly, outside of that truth – I hope you read it just because it is interesting and full of insight, intrigue, hope, and so much more. Like today’s story about Jesus and the demons knowing His name …
Our focus passage today picks up sometime after Jesus’ encounter with the demons. The crowds were growing in size and pressing Jesus for more of the miracles they had seen or heard about. However, He kept moving on, telling the people He had to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns, reminding them it was what He was sent to do. On one occasion when the crowd was pressing around Him to hear what He was teaching, He got into a boat by the lake, He “put out a little way from the shore, and taught the crowds from the boat. Luke writes that when Jesus finished speaking, he said to Simon Peter, the boat’s owner – “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon explained that they had already done that, they had worked hard and had caught nothing, “But”, Simon said, “at Your word I will lower the nets.” You probably know the rest of the story, how that when he did as Jesus said they caught so many fish that their nets started to tear. So, Simon enlisted their partners to help and still there were so many fish that their boats were about to sink. Simon was moved beyond words and fell down before Jesus, which is where our focus verse comes in today. Read it again –
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s business partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people!” 11 So when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.“
THE POWERFUL EFFECTS OF OBEDIENCE
It’s not always easy doing what Jesus asks of us or going where He sends us. Fear and uncomfortableness, tiredness and lack of understanding can be some of the mitigating circumstances that cause us to hold back. No doubt, this is how Simon Peter was feeling when Jesus told him to – “put out into the deep water and lower [his] nets for a catch.” Despite how Simon felt about it, he submitted to Jesus’ request and did just as He was told. And, because he did, his life was changed – as he not only realized the greatness of Jesus but, in comparison, the greatness of his own sin. Realizing the depth of His sin, he told Jesus, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Simon’s reaction is, no doubt, a beautiful picture of what happens when we truly see ourselves in the light of who Jesus really is. However, we must not miss that Simon Peter wasn’t the only one impressed and drawn to Jesus that day, for we read in verse 11, that “all who were with Him left everything to follow [Jesus].” I believe this is important, as it teaches us that our obedience to even the silliest and seemingly unnecessary tasks can have a huge and lasting impact that we may never realize this side of heaven.
But, Simon Peter said, at Your word I will lower the nets.
Luke 5:11 NET
The Recap
I see at least three things about obedience that we can learn from Simon Peter’s statement. First of all, obeying a request or a command that we do not understand, such as lowering nets again after you’ve already had them lowered and caught nothing, reveals our trust and/or respect for the one we obey. Not only that, but our obedience can lead to a broken and contrite heart, which can lead to a right relationship with Jesus, which leads to worship, and possibly to others seeing, knowing, and following Jesus.
Response to the Word of God
Father, let the greatness of Jesus wash over me every day. In the light of who He is, may the depth of my sin and unworthiness move my heart to yield in confession and to worship You – Holy three in one! Help me to faithfully encourage and invite others to share in what You’ve done and who You are! Let nothing Lord, absolutely NOTHING – stand in the way of You! In the great and mighty name of Jesus, I pray – Amen!
Have you decided to follow Jesus today? I would love to know and rejoice with you.
Would you like to know more about following Jesus? I would love to share more of the good news and help you understand what it’s all about. Visit Know These Truths [link below] for more details –
If you answered yes to either question please leave a comment here or email me, m.black@lmbc.org – i would love to send you a small gift in celebration or in answer to your questions.
