Jesus Calls His First Disciples

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Date: Dec. 16, 2019

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.”

1. Let down the nets for a catch (1-7)

Jesus was teaching the word of God when a large crowd gathered. He used this as an opportunity to involve a fisherman named Simon. He borrowed his boat to speak to the crowd, while Simon and his companions busied themselves with washing their nets. When Jesus was finished, he told Simon to put out into deep water and let down the nets. Weary from working all night, and with no results to show for it, Simon was reluctant. But the word of Jesus had sunk into his heart. He obeyed Jesus, and the result was a miraculous catch of fish.

2. From now on you will fish for people (8-11)

Peter fell to his knees before Jesus. The teaching of Jesus combined with the catch of fish made him realize that he was a sinner. He pleaded with Jesus, "Go away from me!" But Jesus came for Simon. He spoke the word into his heart in order to call Simon as his own. He came to drive out his fear and make him new-one who would fish for people.

Prayer: Lord, help me to hear and obey your word. Make me your own and one who fishes people.

One Word: Let down the nets for a catch

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