The Wednesday Word 11.17.2021

 

Luke 5:1-11 New Living Translation

5 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, 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, 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.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

I have always loved Simon’s response to the realization that this was no ordinary man. It has often made me reflect on what I would have done in Simon’s shoes. I think I would fall to the ground, too. In an instant in the presence of The Messiah, Simon was faced with the truth about his behavior and the choices he had made. He is filled with shame and begs Jesus to go far away from such a sinner. Instead, Jesus asks him to be his friend and follower. He lets Simon know that much more important work lies ahead.

While the Savior may not literally step into our boat, he is standing in front of us all the time. Just as Jesus knew all about Simon and his character, Jesus knows all about us. What he wants to hear is that we recognize our failings and take ownership of them. That’s repentance. Then the next step is to give up the myth that we can create a perfect life all on our own. That’s surrender. Then we acknowledge that He is Lord. That’s salvation. It has always been about Him, since the beginning. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2). In that instant, Simon realized. Have we?…something to pray about.

Don’t forget to look for the Lord today. Vicki H.

                                                                                                                photo by Antonio Grosz


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