CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE IN CHRIST MINISTRIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY ON YOUTUBE
Luke 5:4-11
In this account of Jesus calling His first disciples, Jesus speaks to Simon (Peter) and in Luke 5:10 (NKJV) we are told of “James and John, the sons of Zebedee.” However, Andrew is not mentioned. Simon states in Luke 5:5, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;” indicating that he was not fishing alone. Matthew 4:18-22 is another account of this same story and in Matthew 4:18 we learn, “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.”
Jesus had met Andrew the day before, and Andrew introduced his brother Simon (Peter) to Jesus (John 1:35-42). John 1:43 states, “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee,” which indicates that Jesus was not yet in Galilee. Mark 1:16-18 states, “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
These men had been at work all night long doing something that they were professionals at, and yet they came up empty. As they were about to finish up and go home, Jesus requested the use of their boat, and after they listened to Jesus speak, He did not ask, but told them to, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). They were tired, defeated, and ready to go home and rest, but they stayed and obeyed the request of Jesus. The result was a catch of fish that was so large it nearly sunk two boats. Simon Peter was the first to recognize the great power of God at work here, and in Luke 5:8 he, “fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” At this event the power of God touched these four men in such a powerful way, “So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11).
“And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men’” (Luke 5:10b). Jesus is inviting Simon Peter to follow Him and learn how to share the Gospel as he would become a disciple of Jesus. It is important that we understand this is not a command, but an invitation to follow Jesus. Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him; it was always a request.
This is the calling of the first four disciples.
This is an example of the effect that the power of God can have on our lives.
This is an example of God’s love for us; love cannot be forced on anyone but can only be offered. The choice then lies with the receiver to accept or deny the love offered.
When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He will first show us that He is real. This may happen through a series of events in our lives, or by a single life-changing event. However, for us to follow Jesus we must first believe that He is real, that God in heaven is the one true Creator God, that He sent His only begotten Son into the world to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17), and in doing so, that He died on the cross bearing our sins and paying our price for sin that through His action we may be forgiven of our sins. We must make the choice to put our faith in Him. The Apostle Paul states in Galatians 5:5-6, “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” The Apostle John proclaims in John 1:12-13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
When Jesus calls each of us to follow Him, the response He awaits from us is to believe in Him, to receive Him, and to begin living a new life in Him. We believe by our faith in Him, and then we take action to live our lives in a way that is reflective of Him living in us by seeking His guidance each day.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing us this event of calling the first disciples of Jesus. They were normal, common men going about their daily business just as we all are today. Please help us to see that we all were created by You to be to the praise of Your glory as the Apostle Paul proclaims in Ephesians 1:3-14. You call us to You out of Your great love for us. Please show each of us that You are real and help us to understand that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6a) so that we all would believe in Him, receive Him, and seek His guidance each day of our lives as we live to be to the praise of Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, amen.