Answering The Call Luke 5:1-11

He was preaching, people crowding around him to listen,

and saw a couple of boats at the water’s edge.

He got into one of them, the one belonging to Simon,

and asked him to put out a little from shore.

After he finished speaking, he said to Simon,

“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

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.”

When they had done so, they caught such large numbers of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said,

”Go away from me, Lord: I am a sinful man!”

For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus came to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So, they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything,

and followed him.

Picture yourself in Simon’s shoes,

there you are, feeling weary and defeated by the day’s events. Work was a complete bust, and you just want to clean up and go home.

In steps this guy, he is saying some good things, so you listen

as you finish up for the day.

He wants you to help him, actually calls you out personally, and asks you, doesn’t even know you. Some nerve!

But for some reason, you are compelled to comply.

Then it gets even more interesting.

He asks you to do the thing-

the thing that you have striven and failed to achieve any shred of victory in, the thing that you are worn out from, and just want to give up on.

BUT, because HE tells you to do it, you try again, one more time.

And you are blown away at the successful result of his instruction!!!

So much that you are completely overwhelmed by it,

because you realize you can’t do this on your own, not with your track record.

But with his help, you did.

Let that sink in a moment.

From no power to full power, from defeat to victory, from failure to success. Who can argue with that? Not Simon and his fishing partners.

It is time to quit striving, doing things your way, in your power, for your own purpose.

It is time, to pull that boat up on the shore, leave EVERYTHING behind,

and follow Him.