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Luke 5:5
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." |
While standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, I became convinced that Jesus was a bottom fisherman. Not only was He born in one of the lowliest of places, He also journeyed through some of the geographically lowest places on earth. The Sea of Galilee is about 700 feet below sea level and is the lowest fresh water sea on earth. The only sea that is lower is the Dead sea which isn't far down the road. Jesus was literally using lowly people from the lowest places!
On this trip to Israel, we were able to see what many people believe to be Simon Peter’s home. As I gazed at it, it became evident that Peter’s abundance didn’t come from how much he had. His abundance came from who he was with! It wasn’t Peter's and Andrew's earthly success at fishing that qualified them; it was their willingness. After all, they hadn’t even caught a fish when Jesus showed up that day (Luke 5:5). Jesus spoke to them about fishing because that is something they knew and could understand. Matthew 4:19 came to mind when Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Fishermen and "fishers of men" are so similar in sound yet so different in purpose. The first is for the purpose of living, but a “fisher of men” is living for a purpose.
Jesus changed the world through the people who were in front of Him. He invited fishermen as He walked by the sea and a tax collector as He passed through the streets. He invited those He came in contact with as He walked through life. He didn't have to fly across the world to reach it. Instead, He reached the world from right there where He was! He did it one person, one conversation, and one day at a time. With His help, so can we!
Father, open our eyes to the people You place in our path. Help us to never miss an opportunity to share Your love and light. Give us the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the syllables of every word that we need to speak. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, Amen.
On this trip to Israel, we were able to see what many people believe to be Simon Peter’s home. As I gazed at it, it became evident that Peter’s abundance didn’t come from how much he had. His abundance came from who he was with! It wasn’t Peter's and Andrew's earthly success at fishing that qualified them; it was their willingness. After all, they hadn’t even caught a fish when Jesus showed up that day (Luke 5:5). Jesus spoke to them about fishing because that is something they knew and could understand. Matthew 4:19 came to mind when Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Fishermen and "fishers of men" are so similar in sound yet so different in purpose. The first is for the purpose of living, but a “fisher of men” is living for a purpose.
Jesus changed the world through the people who were in front of Him. He invited fishermen as He walked by the sea and a tax collector as He passed through the streets. He invited those He came in contact with as He walked through life. He didn't have to fly across the world to reach it. Instead, He reached the world from right there where He was! He did it one person, one conversation, and one day at a time. With His help, so can we!
Father, open our eyes to the people You place in our path. Help us to never miss an opportunity to share Your love and light. Give us the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the syllables of every word that we need to speak. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, Amen.
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