THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 5:8-11
“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” (Luke 5:10)
What does Jesus mean by ‘fish for people’?
Jesus told a parable to describe the kingdom like fishermen catching fish.
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:47-50)
There are two jobs mentioned here: gathering the fish, and separating them.
Their job is to throw the message (net) out there, and bring in as many as possible.
The time will come when the fish will be separated, but first they must cast the net.
Like them, we are fishers of men too.
Jesus does not say that He is calling His us to separate the fish.
Peter does not feel worthy, but Jesus makes it clear that worthiness is not a pre-condition.
Too often the church has taken on the job of separating the fish BEFORE the end of the age.
We judge people as worthy or unworthy of talking to, of joining us, or of eating at the table.
But Jesus’ heart, and God’s heart, is that the invitation (net) would go far and wide.
“Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame… Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:21,23)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help us to be an open net, an inclusive community, where people can experience grace and Your life-changing Spirit. Forgive us for starting the ‘separating’ before we finished the ‘fishing’.
This sort of reminds me of what happens further in Luke 5. When Jesus is called to eat with the sinners at the table. I find it kind of funny that they ask Jesus why do you eat with the tax-collectors and the sinners? I mean aren’t we all sinners, weren’t the Pharisees who asked the question sinners themselves too? I mean yes I know we have been forgiven, and set “free” from the title but we can be quick to point fingers without removing the piece of dust in our own eyes. It’s why it’s so hard to look deep within ourselves and admit where we are wrong, and what needs to change. I hate actually spending the time to address myself and my issues and see what I need to stop doing, and start doing.
But I know I have to in order to move forward to be what I am called to be.
Just like you said it’s God who decides what fish gets separated, but we have to be willing to put down the net in the first place. It’s amazing to see Peter being transformed and loved by Jesus just as much as anyone else. It kind of makes me see that someone could work in a full time ministry job, but that does not make them more of a faithful servant to Jesus. He does not rank us in order. I work with children all day long. But that is my mission field. Whatever I do is for the glory of Him, or it ought to be. I’ll be the first to admit it, I don’t go into everyday life thinking “OK God, how can I be You’re hands and feet today”?
But what if I were to shift my thinking into exactly that? Like an apprenticeship, always learning but taking it one step further. Admitting to God I don’t have it altogether (I really have no problem admitting that lol) and putting down my pride. That is when He uses us best, that is how we can become fishermen rich in faith.
I am weak, disqualified, stubborn, but I rely completely on Jesus.
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” – 2 Cor 2:16
Observations/Application
Awe struck!
A miracle!
And Peter does recognize Jesus as Lord – but unworthy to be in His presence. And we all need to fall down and worship. This reminds me of when the ‘mob’ came to capture Jesus – and they all fell down!
The catch was so great all were amazed.
This was a life changing experience since they left their catch to follow Jesus. A new way – total trust and commitment. Discipleship. A Christ follower.
Alive in Christ Jesus.
New life.
Living for Jesus.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.