Daily Scripture: Luke 4:42-5:11
42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Luke 5
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com
Reflection Questions:
Luke tells more than Matthew or Mark about the “crisis” that changed these young men. The miraculous catch of fish showed that Jesus was not just “some guy.” Then he said, “Give up fishing for fish. Come – we’ll ‘fish’ for people.” And they did. They left their nets and became first Jesus’ disciples (pupils), and then his apostles (emissaries).
- Luke never spells it out, but it seems clear that Jesus and Simon had some previous contact. But this was the day when it all came together for Simon. What has been the story of your journey toward and with Jesus? Did you experience a time when everything “clicked”? Are you still waiting for a time like that?
- Fishing was probably Peter’s lifelong family business. Still, in verse 5, we see him accept fishing guidance from a carpenter. What are your areas of expertise, in which you might hesitate to follow God’s wisdom if it differs from your own knowledge? How does Peter’s submission to a carpenter speak to your heart?
Read Pastor Nicole Conard’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, many times I wish you would just write out in the clouds what you want me to do. Wouldn’t that be easier? Then I realize that you don’t want me to be a passive robot, spinelessly following orders, but a fully alive human being choosing to walk with you each day. Thank you for that freedom. Guide me in that awesome responsibility. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
