1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,t great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon,t its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
one thing i look forward to every sunday morning is going to meet with the Lord at Village Chapel. how do i know He will show each week? because we carefully, and intentionally, read through the books of the Bible, as a church. there is no "7 steps to the better you," or "how to live a sin-free and debt-free lifestyle." it is simply, God's word being read and exposed; often being re-read and exposing new light to old, familiar text. this week was not the exception.
in our journey through Luke, today we looked at the beginning of the Christian church, as Jesus began to call the disciples. so many things stood out anew to me in these verses. usually, i'm simply dumbfounded that the Lord of Lords called fishermen to be his disciples. but what stood out most to me was that Jesus climbed into empty boats, and told the masters how to fish. this was their livelihood. they knew the tricks of the trade. their lack of catch wasn't because they were fooling around, drinking one too many brewski's in the back of the boat.
simon-peter told jesus, "listen. we've be doing this all night, and we haven't caught a thing." he's probably thinking, "who is he that thinks he can tell us how to fish?" i think that about jesus all the time, ashamedly so. the interesting part is that he follows it up with "but if you say so, we will do it again."
i have been here, at this stage in disgruntled obedience. i think i'm there right now. "if you say so, God. since you think you've got it all figured out..." Pastor Jim jokes that peter wouldn't open his mouth to insert his foot; rather, he would open it to just change feet. i can get an amen to that.
in simon-peter's disgruntled obedience, he still chose to follow the Lord's direction. and that is better than disobedience any day. because most of the time, our obedience is rewarded, and we know we have become better off.
how many times this week have i told God "i've been (doing this) all (night), and i've (caught) nothing." guilty. Lord, i've been praying for this for months, years now. you've told me to you're faithful to the end, but why haven't i seen any results yet?
fortunately, i've learned i also need to be quick to say, "but if you want me to, Lord, i will continue."
one of these days i'm going to reel-in the catch of the season. amen and amen.
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interesting side-note: it says "when He had finished ... he said "now go."" furthermore, the Lord's timing is always perfect. it is right on time. not a minute too soon, not a minute too late. only once He speaks His will into action will we witness it prevail. i am so thankful that he has got that figured out, because i have a tendency to be early when i'm not needed, and late when i'm requested.
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