Let’s Go Fishing | Luke 5:1-11
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 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.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 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. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.” Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
From the Messages, Devotions, and Sermons of Pastor’s Mary and Brown, I have been reminded about the importance of being on the move to share the Gospel of Jesus with all people. This is a never – ending calling. What does that mean? It means that we are called to share the joy and Love at all times, in all places, with all people! This is challenging, but we can do it together, especially thanks to Jesus’ lead! We can follow Him!
In times like these, I am reminded of the lyrics of the chorus in a popular Hymn that I grew up with: “Here I Am, Lord!”, written by Daniel L. Schutte:
“Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord. If You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.”
Let us pray that we can fulfill this Calling, all together!
Now, I wanted to reflect on the Scripture and the messages that were shared by Pastor’s Mary and Brown with a word of Prayer:
Dear Lord, please guide us to grow beyond good words to good deeds. Let us share your Blessings with all people that we encounter. Let us also learn how to come across differences to partner together to become “fishers of people,” as Jesus calls us to be! Let us also remember the inclusiveness that is meant by “PEOPLE” – encompassing every race, ethnicity, gender, creed, orientation, affiliation, identity, opinion, socioeconomic status, etc. Let’s remember this fun, but true, saying: “Y’all means all!” Although this is challenging sometimes, and challenges the status quo, that is what Jesus did! And, thankfully and gracefully, Jesus guides us along the way and gifts us with an Advocate: His Holy Spirit! As we enter further into the month of June, let us plan to enter the second half of our year and beyond with this inclusivity in mind! As we strive to become “fishers of people,” let us not be “catch – and – release fishers,” but rather “fishers that keep people” – keep them in the Faith!
Finally, I wanted to thank Pastor Mary for her witness, leadership, and servant heart with which she led at Bridgewater United Methodist Church over the last few years. As I have grown in my time in Music and other Ministries in the Church through them, she has helped me along the way. And, she has helped MANY people through her time there! God bless you in your new journey as head Pastor in Buena Vista, and I am so excited that this Church is near Waynesboro, so Andrea, Nathaniel, and I can visit! We love you, Pastor Mary!
God bless!
Joey