Luke 5:1-11; 27-31; 6:12-16
How people reacted and responded to Jesus was what I found myself focusing on after reading our passages for today. The scene at the Sea of Galilee really got my attention. Initially the fishermen are skeptical of Jesus' instructions to go out deeper and let down their nets. Simon even puts up a little resistance by telling Jesus how they've already tried and didn't catch anything. But obedience wins out and a miraculous catch of fish follows. Then, we see a big change in the men, and particularly in Peter. They were blown away by what they had just witnessed and put everything aside to follow Jesus.
These passages got me thinking about my reaction and response to Jesus--past, present and future. So how does your reaction and response to Jesus compare to Peter and the others here in Luke 5? Does the phrase "they left everything and followed him" describe your relationship with Jesus? Tami W.
Did you notice the call to follow Christ did not come in the temple or the church, but in the midst of the fishermen' daily work.
This says to me God's call to minister comes to us in our everyday living.
Try doing things in your life God's way and reap the benefits of following him.
Have A Christ Centered Day!
Deborah
Good morning...
I find is ironic that the first three disciples Peter, James, and John in the boat the day Jesus invited them to leave their lives as fishermen of fist and join him as fishermen of people were also the three Jesus took with me up the Mount of Transfiguration.
When they first witnessed Jesus' ability to bless in the world of the physical it was just a preview of the spiritual blessings of God through Jesus on when Jesus was transfigured in their presence.
Jesus not only blesses us with "fish" and at the same time he blesses us with the presence of God!
Grace and PEACE,
Gary
Have I left everything to follow Jesus? What a powerful and searching question! No, I have not left everything but I have left worry, anxiety, and fear behind because of my trust in Christ. I have left anger, hate, and replaced it with acceptance and love. (Most of the time) Praise God for His mercy and grace. I need Him daily to show me my 'wicked ways' that are not pleasing to Him. Does that sound harsh? It is only because of His great love for me that I am willing to change. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my anxieties: And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
Ultimately, the responses to Jesus in these passages were characterized by willingness. Christ asks us to be available to Him for His use, whatever that may be.
"They left everything and followed Jesus." I like the way Albert Barnes explains this phrase in his commentary"
"It was not 'much' that they left - a couple of small boats and their nets; but it was all they had, even all their living. But this showed their love of Jesus, and their willingness to deny themselves, as 'really' as if they had forsaken palaces and gold. All that Jesus asks is that we should leave 'all' we have for him; that we should love him 'more' than we do whatever friends or property we may possess, and be willing to give them all up when he requires it."
It is a challenge for us to realize and eventually to leave all our earthly possessions behind. Throughout life we will experience loss and come to accept it knowing that God is leading us to our permanent home with him. Whenever we experience loss in this world God will always comfort us and new ways of living will present themselves allowing us to grow and expand our faith and trust in him.
Trish asked a question in her comments that can cause each of us to examine ourselves, "have we left all to follow Christ? My anwer to that is no!
But I can thank God for his grace and mercy for he's not through with me yet. I am a work in progress!
Deborah
Well-these guys probably did not have loans on their boats nor mortgages on their homes. If they did, someone would have been chasing them for payment. To ask that question to many people today is like asking slaves to leave their masters. Hum-kind of makes you think.
As I empathize with the experienced fishermen, I can understand their hesitation to relaunch their nets. They knew for sure what had happened when they previously went to fish.
Peter called Jesus "Master, and indicated, "but because you say so,I will let down the nets" (v5) Jesus was Peter's Master in word and deed, so he did as his Master indicated and was vindicated.
Peter encountered Jesus personally so that made a difference. We have to exercise our faith, which is a bit more difficult, so that is why it is important to know how persons like Peter and other person reaction to Jesus requests and actions.
I am trying to follow Jesus' will and way, with prayer for His Divine help.