A Life Time Catch from a Lifeless, Empty Sea
Luke. 5:1-15
(PART-1)
Just a couple of days ago, I was meditating on the above Scripture and prayed over. The Holy Spirit of God opened my eyes to see precious things in the above passage. With great Humility I share this here that this may bring blessings. This is the first part. And others will follow. If you are blessed, just write down a note…
Even Experts Fail:
Simon Peter, his brother Andrew were partners with the sons of Zebedee John and James (vs.10). Simon Peter owned 2 fishing ships. (vs.2).The sea of Gen-nes-a-ret, (or) also known as the Sea of Galilee was very familiar for these experienced fishermen. But on one particular day they spent a full night on the sea and caught nothing. (Vs.5)…”Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing…” And on the morning, they touched the shore and docked it safe and were washing their nets. Our Indian “saying is that even an elephant slip”. The ordinary things we do every day, in our homes, offices, working place, business and other things may end up failing. Certainly Simon and his partners were in despair and in break down as they had to go home not having earned money to support their families. Many of us can testify of hundreds of failures in our lives in many areas of our lives. No matter how hard we toiled we are not happy but we are only empty, with heart aches and full of guilt and fear, not knowing how to handle our situations. But for some it’s the open door for a “Super natural encounter” and then turning point for new destiny and new life order. It can be ours, to-day if only we listen to the move of the Holy Spirit.
1. Jesus On the Sea-Shore with a Circumstantial Need:
Jesus was just beginning his ministry and perhaps that was his first beach crusade on the sands of the Gen-ser-a-et. Thousands pressed on him(v.s.1)and Jesus knew that it will suffocate him and he desperately needed a safe platform, where people are kept in a distance that he can fulfill his teaching on the kingdom. He had none of his disciples called yet and he had no body guards. JESUS WAS THEN ALONE, JUST A 30 YEAR OLD YOUNG PERSON. He had no ministry partners, supporters or mission partners.
This is at this desperate situation Jesus turned to the empty vessels and found out that they belonged to Simon Peters. HE PERSONALLY WENT TO HIM AND “PRAYED” (KJV), showing all humility in asking Peter to thrust out a little from the land and sat on the boat and began to teach the crowd.
A. Does God need help from human beings?
Many Christians and Teachers and Scholars of the word created in us a
mind set up that God is setting there in heaven just to keep giving and
never needs human help. And usually they will say that we are saved by
good works but by faith. Heaven is very different from planet earth. No
one needs water, food, dress or other things. Therefore they are not
there. Printed currency notes are not there. No one in heaven needs them
there. When we pray and ask for God’s provisions on above mentioned
needs, God does not send them from heaven with Supersonic wagons,
but gives to us all our needs from this earth through human vessels of his
choice. God has only Chariots of fire.
JESUS AS A HUMAN PERSON IN HUMAN BODY, needed lots of help for his
mission on earth. And He depended upon certain peoples’ generosity to
exist and fulfill his ministry.
“And it came to pass after wards, he went throughout every city
and villages, preaching and shewing the glad tidings, of the kingdom of
God: and the twelve were with him,
And certain women which have been healed of evil Spirits and infirmities,
Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the
wife of Chu-za, Herod’s steward, and many others, which ministered unto
him of their substance”. (Luk.8:1-3)
These and many individuals were staunch and adherent followers of Jesus and were stuck to him till the end, even where the Apostles stumbled. It was this wonderful woman to whom the Lord 1st appeared.
B. The Jesus Mission on Earth is an ongoing Commission:
Jesus has temporarily left on a heavenly mission (1) to send the Holy
Spirit (2) On a high priest Mission (3) To prepare a place for us. (4)To
assume his office as “THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS
“and will be returning soon, as the “THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD
OF LORDS, to take HIS BODY, the “Ecclesia” to be with Him for ever. Till
then His Mission to the lost will continue under His Lordship and leading of
His Holy Spirit, by the chosen, fragile human beings. And blessed are the
millions of saints who have clearly understood this and support the needs
world over. Unfortunately, there are others, who call us beggars!
C. What Jesus asked Simon for And what Jesus asked not for:
Jesus did not ask Simon Peter for Fish but Jesus asked one of his ships to be thrust in to the sea. Fish can be purchased in any market. And Peter would easily give it. Ship! The shipping vessel, Is his very life and destiny. Jesus wanted one if it just for a while. Simon Peter would have thought, how crazy and daring is this man, asking me for a favour, when I am totally broke, tired of all night fishing on sea, with both my eye balls out when I think of going home without money to buy food and having no money to give to my fishing partners? But Simon was compelled by a force to oblige willingly to give his fishing vessel to Jesus.
Blessings, elevations, change of Course and many other Super natural encounters come to in disguise. Many times it was when Molly and I are totally broke and at”rock bottom Hit” situations, when one of our associate pastor, or a mission agency or even poor persons come to us seeking Help”. We will always find something to give them. And we can give hundreds of testimonies the manifold blessings we received in return. Many times we undertake great endeavors for Jesus, but ignore and despise Him on small issues. Peter had discernment and reacted well.
Test-I
“Your YES on earth will be yes on Heaven” And Your NO, on earth will be NO in heaven. Let us be serious. The way Simon greeted, body language, face expression and willingness to serve paved way for his second level test. If he had been indignant, indifferent and proud and was unwilling to serve Jesus wouldn’t have led him to further elevation.
Test -2
Jesus was about 30 years of age and practiced with his “Caretaker Father” Mr. Joseph, the skills of Carpentry. Jesus was ignorant of sea waters and handling a fish boat. With inexperienced skills if Jesus would have tried to thrust the boat into the sea, then the waves hitting the shore will keep the ship, swirling, shaking and dancing. Instead of Teaching the mass, Jesus would have had time only rowing and keep the boat steady in one place. Here he was tested of his time invested, and his patience and talent investment.
Simon Peter and his partners had to be there doing “Over Time” for totally a new Cause! Fishing boat became a “Kingdom Boat”. Do you want this to happen to you! Let Jesus get in and sit there and begin his mission to people. Make your Home his hub of missions’ activity.
When Jesus kept all the people at a distance Mr. Simon Peter and his associates were sitting right next to Jesus, listening to the “Message from Heaven”. “YOURS AND SACRIFICES TAKE US CLOSER TO GOD AND TO HIGHER LEVELS”. Is it not a great joy, honour and a privilege? Simon Passed this tests too.
E- Does not Jesus Need a Clean Ship?
Some of us who travelled on a luxury liner and visited the fishing yard know the difference. The sea foods, fish, crabs and others stink. That’s their nature. Fisher men though wash and clean their vessels periodically; still it would stink. Simon Peter never expected Jesus boarding his ship, and converting it a pulpit for few hours. JESUS THE LILLY OF THE VALLEY AND THE ROSE OF SHARON, chose, to enthrone himself on a dirty, rotten smelling fish boat and revealed his person to people. And this Gospel of Jesus Christ; He preached to people.
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil”. (Jer.13:23)
None of us can ever clean ourselves with human efforts and make ourselves worthy of His entering into us. JESUS CAN ENTER ANY STINKING VESSEL AS A MASTER SERVANT AND CLEANSES US FROM ALL DIRT, SIT, AND GUILT AND MAKES HIS ABODE. For this very reason, he died on the cross and shed his sinless, perfect and holy blood. His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Yes! God can do same to anyone who gives Jesus a chance!
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