Are we Ready

Luke 5:1-11 Do we experience Jesus at work? Are we ready to put our nets in? What’s our response to miracles? Are we humble about our sinfulness in the presence of Jesus? Is a church service incomplete without confession and pardon? Are we ready for the potential for our nets to break?

Have We Left All

Luke 5:11 They forsook all for Jesus, but then for a moment after the crucifixion, returned to their fishing. After His resurrection, Jesus used a similar miracle to remind them who He is. Do we hold something in reserve, or have we left ALL our sinful life behind us to follow Jesus?

Borne out of Water

Luke 5:9-10 As fish are borne out of water, so all disciples are born from the waters of baptism. Since that experience, Christians have throughout history described themselves as little fishes, and the symbol of a fish was used to identify a safe house, a Christian home in the midst of persecution.

Amazing

Luke 5:9-10 Slowly, after the work was done, it dawned on them how amazing this blessing was. Do we meditate on God’s amazing creation from the smallest DNA, to the incredible design of our planet, to the uniqueness of our solar system and enormity of the Universe? Does God’s design amaze us?

Unworthy

Luke 5:7-8 As Peter saw the overwhelming catch, he immediately recognized the source of the miraculous blessing. Blunt and truthful, Peter realized his own unworthiness to be in Jesus’ presence. When God blesses our lives in some way, do we react in a similar manner, grateful yet also embarrassed by our sinfulness?

Miracles and Work

Luke 5:7-8 Was the hand-signal used so as not to frighten the fish, or did they not want to shout in front of Jesus? Does this teach us that sometimes when God performs a miracle in the church, there’s no time for meditation or amazement? Can a miracle signal time for work?

Almost Ruptured

Luke 5:5-6 The nets were so full that they almost ruptured. This can happen to churches too, during a sudden growth spurt. It can threaten to rupture the fabric of the local church. Most churches would probably prefer slow growth, so that newcomers can assimilate, but God doesn’t always work that way.

Jesus Boss

Luke 5:5-6 The word Peter used for master was overseer, superintendent, or in our slang “boss.” Is Jesus asking us to let down our nets? What are fishnets for? How is evangelism like letting down our nets? We provide the nets and the effort, but it is God who fills the nets.

Jesus Bless our Work

Luke 5:3-4 Perhaps the immediacy indicates Jesus’ disappointment in the response from the crowd. Humbly, Peter the expert fisherman, follows the Rabbi’s instructions. Would we be so humble as to follow directions from someone not of our profession? Jesus now wants to bless Peter’s work, as He wants to bless our weekday work.

Sitting Down to Preach

Luke 5:3-4 Notice Jesus sat down to preach, the customary teaching position for Rabbis at the time. This miracle is repeated, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and as a reminder to the disciples at the end. After teaching on this weekday, Jesus encouraged Peter to get back to work, even telling him where.

Lake of Gennesaret

Luke 5:1-2 Lake of Gennesaret was named after the town of Gennesaret on the lake’s northwest corner. It is also called the Sea of Galilee and Lake Tiberias. Today it is the largest body of freshwater in Israel and is the world’s lowest body of freshwater at 700 feet below sea level. At the time of Jesus’ ministry it was a wealthy fishing area filled with boats. Today there are few boats to be seen.