January 5, 2019: SOAP #3320:  Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:3 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. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 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.” 6 When they had done so, they caught so many fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled to 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. …11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Observation:  Simon and his fellow fishermen had “worked hard all night and not caught anything.”  When they threw out their nets at Jesus command, catching anything would have been an improvement.  Catching a net full would have shown that Jesus had unique power over nature.  Catching enough to sink a boat would been a memorable occasion.  But Jesus went even further—they caught enough to sink two boats!!!

Jesus was not after the fish; He was after the fishermen.  The fishermen were after the fish, they had been fishing all night; but they left the boats, the nets and the fish to go after Jesus!

Application: When He provides abundance and I stay back with the blessings instead of going after Him, I believe I grieve the heart of Jesus!  I must see the abundance as a demonstration of His extravagant love for me.  My actions in dealing with the abundance can demonstrate my love for Him.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, remind me of this passage when my efforts do not bring about what is needed.  Remind me that the Lord, in one throw of the net, can do for me what He did for Simon and the fishermen.  May I never forget that Jesus is of much more value than the abundance He provide!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!