Thursday, September 5, 2024

They Left All

 

 luke 5:1-11 images4

  Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

We can imagine the astonishment of Simon Peter and his companions as they  pulled in their loaded nets. Jesus knew exactly how to "hit them" with his power...the boatload of fish spoke volumes to these fishermen, a clear and powerful sign that Jesus was no ordinary man, but one worthy  of being trusted, of being followed. So the fishermen left their boats and nets and followed Jesus.  Does this event speak to me? Often we find ourselves in a "low"...with an empty net despite all our efforts to be good, to help others, to be cheerful and upbeat, to keep and practice our faith. Again and again, Jesus invites us to "lower our nets", to turn everything over to him, and he will fill us beyond our wildest dreams.  We need to leave our wants and discouragement behind and follow the directives of Jesus.  In so doing, we'll find our nets full and overflowing.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, again I ask that I let you run my show.  Increase my faith and trust in you, fill my net to overflowing and help me to leave all to follow you. Amen.

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