Some become fishermen

Luke 5:1-11 (The Message)

Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. … When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee's sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

Who do you see as the best fisherman in the story today?  Simon?  He started the day with empty nets and ended up with two overflowing boats.  Jesus?  He started the day with a huge crowd clamoring to hear Him, and ended the day with three people following Him.  There’s another fisherman out there too that we haven’t looked at – just as Jesus chose apostles to carry his message, Satan is out there fishing for souls too.  His bait is different – often appearing more exciting and appealing, but the result of taking his bait is different too and it appears that he caught all the people who listened to Jesus but three.  Just look at what those three were a part of!  Our own spiritual heritage includes these apostles. 

Do you ever get hung up on numbers?   As an engineering manager, I do, and when I was teaching Sunday School, I often considered attendance numbers as a kind of grade on my teaching.  But then I would think about the person who led Billy Graham to know Jesus.  Although I heard his story, I cannot remember his name, but look at the millions of people who have had an opportunity to know Jesus because someone led Billy to Jesus.  Am I listening to Jesus?  Am I willing to leave all I have to follow Him?  Would I be happy to win three from a huge crowd?

You can learn from better fishermen

Luke 5:4-7 (Amplified)

He said to Simon (Peter), Put out into the deep [water], and lower your nets for a haul.  And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish; and as their nets were [at the point of] breaking,  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 

God has blessed us all with talents, and He expects us to use them to bless others and bring glory to Him.  In our bible passage today, Simon’s talent was fishing.  He was a professional who made his living, supported others, and fed many through his talent for fishing.  He was good, and I believe he was pretty confident in that skill.  I say that because he was confident enough to try and explain to Jesus how to fish.  He didn’t realize that he was talking to a better fisherman. 

I admire the relationship that Jesus and Simon show here when it’s OK for Simon to express exactly what he thought and felt.  No hesitation.  No muttering under his breath and grudgingly obeying.  Honest, authentic expression of what he felt.  But more than that, he knew who Jesus was.  After his vent, he said, “…but because you are the one saying it, Lord, I’ll do it”.  How’s your relationship with the Master (your talent goes here).  Can you be honest with Him all the time?  Do you also listen closely enough to hear what He’s trying to teach you?  And when He speaks, do you obey?