2/4/2025 Two boatsuke 5:1-11
Jesus Calls the First Disciples https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205%3A1-11&version=NRSVUE Jesus continues his ministry and begins to build momentum. He goes to the shore at the Sea of Galilee and sees a large crowd has formed. The people are pressing in on him to hear “the word of God” (v.1). Jesus had to think on his feet to accommodate the crowd. So far, according to the gospel of Luke, he had taught in synagogues and healed in small villages, but God was about to grow his ministry exponentially. At the shore, Jesus knew by the size of the crowd that not everyone would be able to hear him, so he looked around to see what resources were available to him. He saw “two boats” (v.2). The fisherman had gotten out of them while they were washing their nets. The all-night fishing trip was over, so now the boats were available to be used for Jesus’ purposes. Jesus got into Simon’s boat and asked him to push off from the shore. Jesus wasn’t alone in the boat. It’s not quite clear in the beginning, but in verse 4 Jesus asked Simon to “go deeper” and let down his nets, after Jesus finished speaking to the people. We can assume that when Jesus got into Simon’s boat, Simon went with him. Jesus probably needed someone to help row it as well to get to the desired location where his voice would carry across the water. However, Jesus saw Simon as a resource too, someone who could do more than just row the boat. Jesus saw him as a partner in his ministry because he took him out deeper to show him what they could do together. When Simon fished without Jesus the night before, he came back with empty nets and a deflated attitude. With Jesus, they caught “so many fish” (v.6). Yes, Simon expressed his doubt, his frustration, and his reluctance to follow what Jesus instructed. After all, he was tired and had just washed the nets. He was just ready to go home and sleep. He didn’t want to have to wash the nets again. Simon had just fished this lake, all night in fact, when fishing is typically more successful. How could dropping the net now receive a different outcome? Listening to Jesus, when the instructions are counter to what we know or have experienced, is really hard to do. Yet, Jesus showed Simon what can happen if we listen to him and what happens when we surrender our doubt, frustration, and reluctance. We get to a point where we just need to do what Jesus asks us to do. A lot happened in that first boat with Jesus. So much so, that it required an additional boat. Verse seven tells us: “So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.” The other boat belonged to Simon’s partners, Zebedee and Sons, who came to help them, but instead of helping, their boat began to sink too because of “so many fish” (v.6). Our work with Jesus will require partners to help us. None of us can accomplish the work we are called to do alone. When Simon’s partners come to assist him, they are mutually blessed. They become more than helpers. They become partners with Jesus. Jesus started with one boat, then two boats, then four partners who dropped everything to follow him and to catch people. Jesus multiples and repurposes the available resources for his ministry. He welcomed partners in his ministry who will experience unbelievable possibilities with him. They may have dropped everything to follow him, but they will soon learn that they gained more than they could imagine. Reflection Questions: What do you have that Jesus can repurpose for his ministry? Who are your partners? Who helps you accomplish Jesus’ work? Are each of you mutually blessed? In what ways? Where can you go deeper with Jesus? Pray: God, show us the work you are calling us to do. Action: With faith and trust in God, do not hesitate to do what God asks of you, even though it may run counter to public opinion. *New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Comments are closed.
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