ODB: a much greater plan
September 19, 2009
The next person you meet may need to meet Christ.
READ: Luke 5:1-11
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” —Luke 5:10
Recently our family was in Erie, Pennsylvania, visiting a relative. While there, we had a chance to swim in the community swimming pool. It was fun, but our host wanted to take us to Lake Erie to enjoy the sandy beaches, the cresting waves, and the beauty of the setting sun. My children protested because they wanted to swim in the pool. But I tried to get them to see that going to the beaches of Presque Isle would be a much greater plan.
I believe Jesus wanted Simon Peter to see He had something much greater in mind for him—he would “catch men” (Luke 5:10) instead of fish. Jesus told Peter to go to the deeper water and let down his nets for a catch (v.4). Peter had just returned from an unsuccessful night of fishing, but at Jesus’ command he obeyed and said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net” (v.5). Humbled by the miraculous catch of fish, Peter bowed in awe before the Lord, who then told him that from that point on He wanted him to fish for men. Peter left everything and followed Him.
God’s greater plan for us may not be to leave our occupation. But it’s His plan that we use our time, resources, and careers to bring others into the kingdom. — Marvin Williams
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Another similar account in the Bible would be in the gospel of Mark:
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:16-18
So, if we’re supposed to be following Jesus, then that means we will become fishers of men? YES! But what is a fisher of men? Just like a fisherman catches fish, so a fisher of men catches men/women for Christ. But what kind of a fisher of men are we to be? Here is the story of the passive fisherman versus the proactive fisherman:
Two fishermen paddled out in their boats on the water. The passive fisherman laid back in his boat, propped up his feet on the cooler, folded his arms and said, “Okay fish, here I am, I am a fisherman, so come on and jump in the boat.” No fish took him up on his offer. Meanwhile, the proactive fisherman threw out his nets and pulled them in again. After working at this, he caught many fish.
Once you decide to follow Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit and the word of God to change your mind and heart about the purpose to which you are called, you will never be able to look at people the same way again. When you are out and about in your daily life, you will remember that you are a disciple of Jesus and are a fisher of men, and hence your eyes will be opened to the fact that there are countless people who have no relationship with Christ. And you are their lifeline. I don’t know very many successful passive fishermen. I also don’t know very many successful passive fishers of men. So the questions being asked would be: are you about your purpose, or is it something that you ignore? Are you proactive or passive? Are you the fisherman with his arms folded and feet propped up, or are you throwing out your nets and pulling them in? To be Jesus’ disciple means that you follow him and obey his teaching. If you do not follow him in becoming a fisher of men, then how can you claim to be his disciple? A disciple is someone who imitates his teacher and puts the teacher’s teaching into practice. This is what being a Christian is all about.
A meaningful sharing from what I’ve learned. Hope that it’s an encouragement to everyone. God bless
If you have an opportunity to preach the word to a friend or even a stranger take it with both hands don’t hesitate.
Love and honour our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen