| Is it possible to give thanks for such a thing as | | | | questions. The facts have a disconcerting way of |
| this? Be glad that Jesus Christ does not answer | | | | confounding our careful theories, and throwing out |
| your every prayer. Can anyone really say that? | | | | our calculations and plans. |
| Read and judge! | | | | Just when we think we have a formula, |
| In Luke Chapter 5, we read of a crowd gathering | | | | something unpredictable turns up and makes our |
| to hear the Word of God. They are not there for | | | | shipshape logic appear absurd. Life can be so fair |
| healing, or personal blessings. | | | | and lovely and sublime, but it is also true that |
| This is something I have looked for and longed | | | | there can arise an element which is cruel and |
| for over the years - people gathering to hear the | | | | bitter. |
| Word of God - and for no other main reason. | | | | Jesus says, My yoke is easy and my burden is |
| They have come to meet with Jesus Christ and | | | | light, and yet to be a true faithful committed |
| listen to the Word of God, and Jesus is almost | | | | disciple in the world can be hard and challenging. |
| being pushed into the water. There is an available | | | | Jesus, as a carpenter, may have made the |
| boat which Jesus decides to use as a pulpit. Peter | | | | smoothest yokes in Nazareth, but it is still a yoke, |
| is so willing to put his possessions at Christ's | | | | and he tells us to put our head in the yoke. To do |
| disposal and they push out a little from the | | | | that we have to bow low. |
| Galilean shoreline. | | | | There is this inescapable tension, as we discover |
| It is good to offer to Jesus whatever He may | | | | opposing aspects of our calling in Christ. You |
| require. Use it, Lord Jesus, as you wish with no | | | | cannot card index life. You cannot get all the |
| strings attached and no conditions. | | | | mysteries tied up into a neat little never failing |
| When Jesus finishes speaking and teaching, He | | | | formula. Most of us hate loose ends. We like to |
| tells those with Him to launch out into deeper | | | | have everything tidy, and we discover that to be |
| water and fish! The response is so very natural. | | | | a vain quest. |
| We have been fishing all night and we haven't | | | | Following Jesus Christ at times can be like walking |
| caught anything. We have been most | | | | along a zigzag path. |
| unsuccessful. | | | | Jesus can use the most disappointed dispirited |
| It almost appears to be an unreasonable request. | | | | unlikely people, who are open to His word, His |
| By every human calculation, it looked useless and | | | | voice and His command. |
| worthless, a complete waste of time. Sometimes | | | | When Simon Peter sees the catch of fish he fell |
| our best efforts can appear so futile and fruitless, | | | | before Jesus and said, "Go away from me Lord; I |
| and then Jesus comes along and changes the | | | | am a sinful man!" What a prayer! Are you glad |
| situation suddenly and dramatically. Consider the | | | | that sometimes Jesus overlooks our prayers? It |
| wasted hours and energy until we allow Jesus to | | | | was an impetuous request. Billy Graham's dear |
| have His way. | | | | wife, Ruth, often said that if God had answered all |
| Peter goes on, "Master, we are tired and weary. | | | | her prayers, the way she would have wished |
| We have had enough for to-night. Results have | | | | them to be answered at that time, she would |
| been nil, but because You say so, we will let down | | | | have married the wrong man! |
| the nets and give it another go!" | | | | The catch of fish is amazing, and those involved |
| How did he say that? What was the tone of his | | | | on this occasion are astonished, shocked and |
| voice? | | | | stunned. T he results and consequences of |
| Try again. Be open for a surprise. Forget past | | | | obedience can surprise and even disturb. |
| failures. If Jesus tells me to do something then I | | | | Jesus told Simon Peter not to be afraid. From |
| am going to do it. This is a miracle. Here is a man | | | | now on you will fish for men and catch men, and |
| who did not know a lot about fishing, as far as | | | | catch means "to take alive". |
| Peter was aware, telling an experienced fisherman | | | | They left everything and followed Him and |
| how and where to fish, and the fisherman does | | | | entered a period of three years teaching, training |
| what is suggested. Peter demonstrates | | | | and discipling, in preparation for leadership. |
| unquestioning obedience. | | | | Jesus Christ calls and trains and then commissions. |
| The consequence is an amazing catch of fish and | | | | The commissioning normally comes after being |
| the nets are so full they have to call for help. | | | | called and following a time of training. |
| They need the co-operation of their partners. | | | | Verse 11 is their vision. They have to re-arrange |
| They could not cope on their own. Miracles and | | | | their priorities. New realms of service involve |
| blessings, whatever they might be, can be | | | | deeper commitment, but it began by lending a |
| accompanied by a whole new set of problems. | | | | boat. |
| God wants people working together. | | | | What is Jesus asking of you today and what will |
| They had been quietly washing their nets and | | | | be the consequences of your response in three |
| probably mending them, tying up the loose ends. | | | | or four years time? |
| We read that in verse 5. Life has so many | | | | |