Luke 5 1-11: Step by step

Jesus claims ownership of our ‘stuff’, and He issues commands; He doesn’t make suggestions. He is LORD.

‘But at your word I will let down the Nets'(5).

Put out a little (3), then put out further (4). The reasons for the two different commands to ‘put out’ lay in Jesus’ purpose on each occasion. The first time He wanted to use Peter’s  boat as a pulpit;  the second time around He wanted to use it to enable  these men to bring in an abundant catch of fish ( and teach them a lesson about evangelism into the bargain, v.10.) The important thing is always to listen to the Lord Jesus and do whatever He says. He knows what He is doing. He is the Master when it comes to ‘catching men’ and we are not even novices. So always obey Jesus, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense to do so, or doesn’t feel logical. This is the key to great fruitfulness (6,7), and Jesus still does astonishing things (9). Prepare to be amazed.

For Peter, surrendering his boat to Jesus (3) was probably a small step when compared with what came  next (4). This involved the surrender of his expertise; his pride,his knowledge and skill to One who was not, as far as he knew, a fisherman. So does Jesus regularly school us in the life of obedience, leading us on from smaller to bigger steps. If it was a big step to obey Jesus in (5), it was in the end to lead to the biggest step of all (11). Jesus will stretch your obedience.

The implication in the opening words of the book of ‘Acts’ is that we are into the story of what Jesus  continued ‘to do and teach’ (Acts 1:1). This is what Jesus did after His ascension, through the apostles, by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was still working with His followers to bring in a huge haul of people. This they succeeded in doing as they followed His instructions.

One other thought, when Peter gave up His boat to Jesus, what he got back was abundantly more than what he gave. Don’t you find that is the way with Jesus?

Prayer: Lord I am listening for your Word.