A Bigger Fish
UPSIDE DOWN
A Bigger Fish
I am a terrible fisherman! Several years ago, a couple of my good friends who could catch fish any day, anywhere, took me to a fish farm where you dropped your hook in and actually watched the fish bite the bait. In my pride, I was furious. I did not want to be humiliated. Then they paid to have the fish I caught cleaned so I could cook it when I got home. I was so mad I never ate the fish.
God calls you to catch bigger fish!
Pray: God, I love You. Teach me about how your calling to Peter, James and John affects me.
Grab your Bible: Read Luke 5:1-11.
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,[a] 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,[b] 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.
These three guys, Peter, James and John were fishing. That was their occupation! No doubt they had heard of Jesus and perhaps sat and listened to him teach. But one day, they were finishing their night of fishing, washing their nets.
Jesus had been teaching by the lake and told these men to put their nets out again. And Peter responds, “Master, we fished all night and caught nada, zero, zilch.” (Sounds like me!!!!). But Peter obeyed.
And when they did, they caught more fish than the nets could hold!
We will spend a few days on this passage. We can pick this story up tomorrow!
God calls you to catch bigger fish!
Prayer: God, You call me to something bigger. Give me ears to hear Your voice and obey.