So, lets continue on with this subject of empty boats. Here's Luke 5.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Jesus never gives up on empty people, I mean boats. We see here that He stepped into one of the boats (I wonder which one). Jesus will continue to step into people’s empty lives to always provide a choice for them. Look what He does. He asks (He doesn’t tell him) Simon, the boat owner, to push the boat out into the water.
Jesus didn’t need help getting the boat out in the water. Heck, He could’ve just walked out there and preached, but He always wants us to join in His victories. Then it says He taught the people out of the ship. Jesus is the ship of life.
I know all of you have experienced how sound travels across water, so I’m just wondering if preaching from that position didn’t cause the water to act as a microphone of sorts to magnify His Word. Well, not only is He the ship of life, He’s the water of life. Strange coincidence, don’t you think? Just a thought. Selah.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
So now they’ve heard the Word of God speak and it hopefully built up faith within them. So, Jesus tells Simon to act on faith. Launch out into the deep. Whoa!!! It just hit me. You can’t catch fish on the shoreline. That’s where headquarters is. That’s where the main Assembly office is. That’s where management and supervisors are. Religion lives on the shoreline. Also, you don’t catch fish inside the church walls, you have to launch out into the deep. That’s where the fish are. Remember that part about Jesus saying I will make disciples of you and you shall go to the uttermost parts of the world? Come on.
Now Jesus doesn’t tell them to do this and try and catch some fish. He says, go out deeper and let down your nets to catch some fish. It’s a sure thing that they are going to catch fish, not simply try. They’ve done that on their own and caught nothing.
Here comes a statement in verse 5 that I have even made, in a similar fashion, myself in the past, and I’m sure God hears all the time. I’ve heard other people make comments similar to this. I call it the Ya but ministry. I’ve included it here in the NLT version, but you can read it above in the KJV.
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”
Let me put that in today’s language. Ya but God (Master), I’ve tried everything. I’ve done this and I’ve done that, and nothing changes. So, I guess I’ll try it your way. I can almost hear Simon’s (later to be named Peter) thoughts. Who does he think he is. I’m the master fisherman. I’ve been in this business for years. I know how and where to fish. He knows nothing about fishing.
There are lots of people who are more proud of their empty boats than they are the truth of God’s Word. They love their denomination more than they love Jesus. I told you we’d get back to verse 2 and the empty boats. Well let’s see. You fished all night and didn’t catch a thing. Jesus comes to the shoreline and without even trying, draws a huge crowd. So large that He needs to get in a boat. Really? Do we think we are so capable and smart all by ourselves that we don’t need Jesus?
I decided to put the next two verses together. Again in the NLT.
6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
So let me get this straight. When you put aside your pride and let Jesus help you, the thing you’ve been trying so hard to get to will not only come to you, but it will come with abundance. So much so that you’ll need help in the reception of it. In fact, the abundance will allow you to share in your victory that will nearly overwhelm you with amazement.
Now we get to the false humility part and such great grace from the Master. Look what Peter says here in verse 8.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Basically, I’m too much of a sinner to be around you. How can you ever love me. I’ve done nothing good, nothing at all. I was too proud to think anyone knew better than me. I had the mindset that I didn’t need anyone to help me or tell me anything. Especially about fishing.
Here’s the rest of the verses 9-11, in the NLT, as I finish this up.
9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
In that verse 10, both a question and comment popped into my Spirit. First the question. Why did it say that James and John were also amazed. It’s a question I will study, because it makes me think that these two were strong believers and were rarely surprised or amazed at what Jesus did or would do. Interesting.
Now the comment. Did you notice the grace of God in Christ Jesus come forth? It’s in His statement “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” Do you see both grace and a declaration of who they/we are. Jesus didn’t say now you will go and try to fish for people. He said you will….BE fishing for people. So again we see it’s not something we DO, it’s something we will just BE. Verse 11 needs no comment, just faith.
So we have “A Borrowed Ship (vs 3), A Broken Net (vs 6), and a Sinful Man (vs 8).” However, the Truly Master Fisherman, the Ship of Life, and the Water of Life once again extends a great declaration of Grace and destiny to them, by declaring that they need not be afraid for they will BE fisher’s of men.
He’s saying that to someone reading this today. “I’ve got this covered. Just BE who I say you are”. A word from God is what puts you in control. Grace and Peace.
