28.1.25 Luke 5:1-11

28 January

Prepare

Heavenly Father,

As I come before you today, I surrender this time of devotion into your hands. I lay down all my cares, worries and burdens before you, knowing and trusting that all things are in your hands. 

Calm my mind, still my heart and show me how to rest in your presence. Teach me to be still, to listen and to find peace in knowing that you are in control. I place my trust in you, knowing you will guide me and, as the psalms assure me, that your right hand will hold me fast.

And now, as I open your precious Word, send your Holy Spirit. Speak, help me to hear your still, small voice and help me to obey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read Luke 5:1-11 

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 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.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 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.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled 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.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 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.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Reflect

One of the delights of reading God‘s word is that when we hear even the most familiar passage afresh, His spirit enables us to notice receive new things. What words phrases stood out for you? 

Perhaps, it was Jesus command to Simon, ‘put out into deep water’? It can be so very cosy and comfortable in the shallows, but as we grow in Christ and grow in His service, we are each day called to trust Him more and go still deeper as we step beyond our comfort zone. 

Perhaps what stood out for you was Simon Peter’s awareness of Jesus’ sanctity and his own unworthiness, saying ‘go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man’? Jesus didn’t go away, instead He walked with Peter and would one day build His church on that flawed, volatile, impulsive and courageous man. Jesus is able to mould and use us all, as so long as we recognise our own unworthiness and our utter dependence upon Him. 

Perhaps what stood out is those closing words ‘the disciples left everything and followed him’? Perhaps, deep in our hearts, we sometimes seek, to quote one of President Trump’s favourite phrases, to cut a deal with God, to say ‘I’ll do some things, but I am not too sure about others. Send someone else.’?

The disciples left everything to follow Jesus. Unless he causes you to feel restless, you may well be called to stay and fish where you are. Pray that he will give you new insights, a fresh vision for your current context and a bigger catch than you could ever have imagined.

I suppose for me, with my love of mission and evangelism, the stand-out phrase in this passage has to be ‘don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people’ .

This is the first time that Jesus sets out what HR professionals would call the role description  for those who would follow him – in three words, we are all called to ‘fish for people’.  Jesus’ command to fish for people is preceded with a powerful assurance – don’t be afraid. Whenever Jesus asks us to step out and do something, He also promises to be with us. 

Bringing people to faith is a work of the Holy Spirit, who prompts people to search for meaning and faith. That same Spirit equips us, gives us opportunities and words to use. We only need to be faithful, to ensure that we are prepared to be known as Christians, to live beautiful lives which inspire and draw others and to do our bit in inviting others to church and opportunities to explore faith at a time when so many people are searching spiritually. We also need to be ready when given the chance to tell others what a difference it has made for us, what a joy it is to know and to be in relationship with Jesus.

Not only do we work with God, we work alongside our brothers and sisters to cast and haul in the nets. It is perhaps a wonderful coincidence that we are studying a bible passage on mission on Tuesday 28 January, and that the alpha introductory dinner takes place tonight.

On the day of the last introductory supper, one church member asked the neighbour, at 4 pm, to come with her, and she did. Others shared Facebook posts or put out the invitation on their neighbourhood WhatsApps, saying simply ‘you will be so welcome, come with me.’  

The greatest joy which we can have in this life is to see the life of another person transformed as they meet Jesus and learn to walk with Him. May you know that joy today. 

Be 

Let's take a moment now to let the Holy Spirit minister to us and to form and encourage as in this work of evangelism. 

Lord we thank you that you are with us and for us in all that we do in your name. We offer you ourselves afresh this day. Help us to shine with your love, to live beautiful lives which draw others into the light of your Kingdom and, as you walk alongside us, show how to become fishers for people. Show us where to cast our nets and grant us a greater catch than we could ever hope for or imagine. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Become 

A Church of England prayer inviting God to shape us: 

Almighty God,
You have called us to be your people,
and in your love, you shape and guide us.
We ask that you continue to mould us,
open our hearts and minds to new ways of serving you.
Help us to see beyond our comfort zones,
and grant us courage to follow where you lead.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Do 

One of the most powerful things we can in growing in this work of evangelism is to pray.

Pray continually and specifically for those known to us, especially family members, who do not yet know Jesus to discover faith.

Pray each day for opportunities to show others the beauty of Christ through what you do or say. 

And offer to pray with those in distress or need of healing, standing with them as you pray in their presence. When we do this, the Holy Spirit is always present and something, not always what we expect, but something always happens as people experience and are touched by the love of God.   

Practice  

Can I encourage you to practise telling someone, perhaps a family member or Christian friend, your own story of coming to know Jesus and the difference He has made in your life. 

What was life like before you knew Jesus, or, if you have been a Christian as long as you can remember, before you took the decision for yourself really to commit to Him and grow in faith?

And what difference does walking with Jesus make to your life today? Your story just needs to be heartfelt and real and, as you speak of the peace, joy and purpose which God has breathed into your life, His Spirit will be at work. He will do the rest.