When was the last time you were so awed by what Jesus was doing in your life that it overwhelmed you enough to fall to your knees in deep awe of Him?  What a glory those “shock and awe” moments are to us, right?  It seems to happen when we are at our lowest, feeling nothing but extreme tiredness and discouragement, knowing we have exhausted all our own efforts at making life better.  Then Jesus comes, intervenes with a miracle unimaginable, and changes everything about us! 

Luke 5, The Message

Push Out into Deep Water

^1-3 Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

⁴ When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”

^5-7 Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

^8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

^10-11 Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Chosen series depicts this passage well as it tells of the fisherman, Simon, who will do anything and everything, legal or not, to merely keep food on the table for his family. This series captures the emotions of Simon who will be called Peter, the Rock, by Jesus later.  But for now, nothing in Simon’s life turns out well.  Simon is what we would call a “player”, a manipulator who is as untrustworthy as the tax collectors in his community!  Simon has been put down by the oppressive government who demands more taxes than he and his brother can possible pay. No one can afford what the Romans expect in payment.  This is oppression that keeps people in their powerless state of mind in all ways so the Romans can stay in control over them. 

Along with Roman oppression is the oppression of the religious leaders who also want/demand power and control over God’s people.  Growing up in the Hebrew system of teaching as a young boy at the local Synagogue, Simon observed the power grabbing, arrogant Teachers of the Law whose goal was to gain great wealth and prestige on the backs of those just trying to survive each day.  Simon is smart and witty, impetuous, and quick tempered.  He hears and memorizes the Word but does not see the value in following priests who seem to only perform for applause and guilt people into paying more temple taxes while being void of the compassion of caring for the conditions of the people God called them to serve.  Simon has a warped view of God.

Where God guides—He provides!  With the funds gained from this haul of fish, that filled not one boat but two, prepared the fishermen with an immediate way to follow the One who called them to be fishermen of men and women! 

Then Jesus enters Simon’s way of life, disrupting his thinking and view of life and of God!  Jesus’ miracle “catch of the day” catches Simon of guard!  This “shock and awe” moment drives him to his knees—knee deep in fish!  What a perfect miracle for a fisherman!  This miracle also causes a sinful Simon to fall to his knees in humility before Jesus.  Simon has a new attitude!

Jesus tells them the Truth because Jesus is Truth.  They are drawn to Truth.  Jesus has come into their world to show all people the Way back to God, the Truth about God, while offering Life forever with God!  These fishermen don’t understand it all—yet—but they know enough to realize their need for Jesus and all He has to offer—so they follow. Yes, Jesus changes everything about us when we say yes to Him.  Simon was changed.  Simon’s view of God was no longer blocked.  Simon was not the only one who followed that morning of miracles!  Andrew, James and John also followed.

Our world is hungry to know Truth, too.  Have we been so knee deep in awe of Jesus that His glory can be seen on our faces and observed in our behaviors?  Are we telling the Truth and living the Truth of Jesus each day so others will know?  Who are we “catching” as we throw out the nets of His love, mercy, and grace of the Truth of Jesus’ salvation for all?  We are called to be “fishers of men and women.” Are we?

If you are not sure of knowing the Truth of Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life, there is a way to be very sure and assured: 

• Believe, really believe that Jesus is who God said He is. 
• Repent of sins in Jesus Name and sins are removed and gone forever!
• Bury the past and avoid going back to the “scene of your crimes” to replay the hurt.
• Follow Jesus with all your focus on Him.  Be attentive to His Holy Spirit who now lives in you to help you follow Truth.
• Ask for His wisdom and God will give it.  Confused? God will give you clarity.
• Where God guides, God will provide more than you can imagine to help you grow in His loving ways as you relate to others.
• Allow and invite the Holy Spirt to lead you into all Truth. 
• Truth is, God doesn’t want anyone to perish in darkness but to thrive forever in the Light of His glory and grace. 
• Know that God is for us, not against us. 
• Trust God.  Surround yourself with others who trust God no matter what the circumstances.

Be knee deep in awe of Jesus who saved us and reconciled us to God!  Hallelujah!  For as Jesus said, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.”

Oh Lord,

Thank you for all the ways you show us that you are with us always! Thank you for your Word that assures us. Thank you for all the miraculous ways you intervene in our lives that draw our attention away from the dark ways of the world to the light of your love, mercy, and grace.  You are Truth.  Cleanse our repentant hearts, renew our thinking, refresh our souls with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy, peace and awe of your salvation at work within us.  To you be the glory!  Hallelujah, what a Savior!  Be in every detail of our lives today as we declare your salvation to the world in need.

In Jesus Name, Amen