The Great Catch

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Great Catch

Date: Nov. 19, 2016

Passage

Luke 5:1-11 (ESV)

1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 5:10b

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

First, put out into deep water (1-7). Jesus was preaching the Word while a great crowd gathered to hear him. Jesus asked Simon to take him out a little from the shore in his boat where he could teach the crowd more effectively. When he was done, he asked Simon to put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon must have thought this would be absolutely useless but he obeyed anyway. When he did, they had so many fish their boats were in danger of sinking. For the first time, Simon experienced the deep world of faith. His partners and coworkers also were moved by the great catch of fish.

Second, from now on you will fish for people (8-10). Simon should have been so excited but he was struck with terror. He fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me Lord." His spiritual eyes were opened to see that he was a petty and selfish sinner without mission before the holy God. But Jesus calmed his fears and appointed him as a fisher of men and women. Simon's life as a disciple really took off from this moment. This event was a turning point and would define the rest of his life. Without Jesus, I am only a petty person without a mission.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing my humble obedience. Make me a fisher of men and women.

One Word: From now on you will catch people

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references