Today’s Reading:
LUKE 5: 1-11
“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 “ (v. 7, AKJV)
Simon had been fishing all night with no success. While cleaning his nets in the morning and looking forward to going home and getting some sleep, Jesus came into his fishing boat and asked him (Simon) to pull his boat a little away from the shore out into the deep water to enable him (Jesus) use his boat as a floating pulpit by teaching the people out of the boat. When Jesus finished teaching, he instructed Simon to move the boat to a deeper part of the water and let down his fishing nets for a big catch.
Simon obviously believes this will be a futile exercise. He is a professional fisherman, after all. We can almost hear the exasperation in his voice when he responds. “Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing”. But then he continues. “nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net” (v. 5)
Caught by Surprise!
We know what happens next – nets so full of fish that they begin to break, a boat so full of fish that they begin to sink. Seeing what was happening, Simon felt the presence of divine power and he was overwhelmed with fear and wonder. He responded by falling down at Jesus' knees and begging him, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man O Lord ’’ (vv. 6-8).
Amazed by the power of God displayed in the abundant catch of fish, Simon immediately became aware of his sinfulness and unworthiness. He saw the overwhelming disparity between God’s power in Jesus and his own mortal, compromised life. Jesus responded to Simon: “Fear not; from henceforth thou shall catch men’’ (Luke 5:10) KJV. Although Simon Peter had just recorded the greatest catch of his fishing career, he along with James and John left those boatloads of fish behind and followed Jesus henceforth. Their encounter with Jesus had completely reoriented their lives. This narrative shows how God calls ordinary people to discipleship and mission. Simon is acutely aware of his unworthiness, but Jesus is not put off by this in the slightest. Throughout the Scripture, we see that human sin, failure and inadequacy are no obstacles to God’s call. God calls imperfect people to do His work (Ex. 3:10-12; Jeremiah 1:6-8).
God does not wait for them to shape up. He calls them as they are and then works on shaping them into faithful servants. Jesus mission does not wait until we think we are ready. The need for the gospel in this broken world is far too urgent. We are called right now – even in spite of our frailty, failures and doubts. Jesus word to Simon Peter is also a word to us: “Do not be afraid’’.
BABALOLA IKOTUN
Prayer:
O Lord, enter the boat of my life, and cause a massive turnaround in my career, and business, in Jesus name.
Father Lord, usher me into the realm of unprecedented abundance in my career, and business, in Jesus mighty name.
Father Lord, break me, remould me into Your desired shape, and use me for Your glory, in Jesus name.
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