Luke 5: 10b-11: “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything and followed Him.
I want us to reflect on the passage before us for a moment. Simon Peter and his team of fishermen had worked hard all night to catch fish but they caught nothing. However, at Jesus’ word, they let down their nets and caught a great number of fish that their nets began to tear! Then the had to signal to another boat to help them and both boats were filled with so much fish that they began to sink!!
The Bible records in Luke 5:9-10: For he (Simon Peter) and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they took, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.
Simon Peter and his team of fishermen were experts I their field. They encountered Jesus at the moment after their own professional failure- they used human wisdom and strength and all their might and were unsuccessful.
Then Jesus came along and mentioned to them to put out into the deep and let down their nets for a catch. What happened next was what we read above: even the boats could not hold the fish they had caught.
What moved me, however, was not the miracle of catching a tremendous amount of fish. As much as that must have been mind boggling for the fishermen and those who witnessed it, this is not what caught my attention this morning.
What leaves me in such awe struck wonder is that the fishermen, after having experienced the absolute pinnacle point of their career as fishermen left everything (the huge catch of fish that could have made them rich overnight!) and followed Jesus!
Jesus had just told them that from then on they would be catching people instead of fish. What prompted them to leave their careers, their pivotal point of fame and fortune to follow Christ into a life that would cost them much as His disciples?
What prompted Paul, a learned academician in his time, to consider everything he had- his title, social standing, accolades, fame and popularity to be a loss in view of the surpassing knowledge of Christ?
I believe that an encounter with Christ opens us to a whole new realm that makes us realize that the pursuit of wealth, a title, a job, a career, a good life are meaningless in view of the surpassing knowledge of Christ.
He is more than enough. When I know Him and have Him in my life, my entire perspective about life changes. Those things I thought were valuable pale in light of knowing Christ.
Those things of earthly value pale in light of pursuing those things of eternal value.
The things of this world will decay- those possessions will have moths and worms attack and decay them, the money in the back will take flight one day (heard of riches to rags stories? They do exist!), the health in our bodies will be gone one day, our lives can be taken away in a moment- none of us have control over how long we live. I have heard of countless stories of people dying in a moment. The Bible says our lives are like a vapour.
At the end of the day, what really counts is following Christ. What really counts, and holds great value is seeking Him, His Kingdom and His righteousness. Everything else pales.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He rejected the temptations of possessing great power and wealth. Jesus knows of the the snare and trap Satan sets before people by luring them into the deception of a good life, a great status and great material possession.
Anything that is not founded on kingdom values and principles carries within itself the seeds of doom, decay and destruction. By focusing on these things we end up abounding in sin and pride.
The Bible warns us in 1 John 2:16-17:
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
God warns us time and again not to set our hearts on wealth, riches and status but to solely, with single minded focus pursue Christ with all of our hearts, will, mind and soul.
This brings me to reflect:
What is the condition of my heart? Do I find it pursuing material wealth and status so I may have a “blessed” life? Or am I pursuing God and placing myself in His Hands in absolute surrender and willing to be used by Him and of Him for His Glory? “
The disciples’ eyes were opened the moment they encountered Jesus and they saw with brand new spiritual eyes the futility of what they were pursuing. They realized it was nothing.
Unless we realize that the things we are pursuing are nothing, we will never find out how God can work powerfully in us.
Jesus was in effect saying through this miracle- “You are looking for fish? This is such a small thing for Me! Look I can create and cause two boats full of fish just for you that they can drown! I can do anything beyond your imagination!! But pursue Me and not what I can give you. These fish will rot and decay. The money you collect by selling them will be used up. These are temporary things. Don’t waste your time and short life pursuing them. Look to Me instead. Look to the eternal. Make room for Me to turn your life around radically. You will be amazed.”
Jesus met His disciples with a new mission and an eternal purpose.
You and I are in this Kingdom business of rescuing those that are lost and bringing them into the saving knowledge of Christ. Our earthly lives with perish one day. What will last forever is His will that we have allowed to take effect in a surrender, single minded, committed life to Christ.
If Jesus were to come to you today and ask you to leave everything behind and follow the life He has for you, will you be willing?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I have been so blind to Your Word. I have been busy pursuing this life, the pleasures and joys in it with my own strength. Today I want to pursue You with all my heart, soul, mind and spirit. I want to live for You and to commit every worry, fear and anxiety that comes from leaning on my wisdom and flesh into Your all powerful and mighty Hands. Take hold of me Jesus as I take hold of You. In Your Matchless Name I ask this, amen.