When Jesus Chooses Your Boat Luke 5:1-11

The day had not started off as one that Peter would have described as great. He and others had fished all night and had nothing to show for it. They had rowed to the shore and beached their boats and were now tediously washing the nets that had caught zero fish that night. Add to that disappointment, a large crowd had gathered near where they were working because Jesus was there and the crowd wanted to hear Him teach. Peter being tired and empty-handed probably did not want to listen to a sermon on that particular morning. Yet, Jesus chose that morning to ask Peter if he would allow the Lord to speak from his boat so that all would be able to hear the message.

Peter made a life changing decision in that moment, though at the time he may not have realized how far reaching the impact would be on his life and family. Peter agreed to let the Lord use his boat. He rowed the boat just off shore and listened as Jesus taught, perhaps thinking about all of the work he still had to do when he got back to shore. When the Lord finished His lesson, He asked Peter to launch out further away from the shore and to cast his nets into the deeper water. Peter kindly instructed the Lord that it was not a suitable time for fishing since they had had no success the night before. He may have thought to himself I will have to start over on cleaning and mending my nets for nothing. Fighting his own skepticism Peter obediently did what the Lord asked and to his surprise the nets were so full of fish that they had to call others to help them get the catch into the boat.

There was no doubt in Peter’s mind that this was indeed a miracle. He was astonished at what had just taken place. He knew enough about fishing that this was not a stroke of luck but a work of providence. He also recognized that he was in the presence of the Lord and undeserving of such favor.  The truth is that this moment changed the entire trajectory of his life, his family, his friends (James and John who helped get the nets in), and our lives as we read today of what took place. All because on what seemed to be a normal day that was not even a good day, he made a simple choice to say “yes,” to Jesus.

Would you consider four thoughts:

1.      Jesus often speaks to us in the quiet routine moments of life and our choices in those moments can greatly impact the direction of our lives.

2.      The result of submissive obedience to the Lord is not further frustration but fullness. So great that those around us can share in the fullness and favor of our obedience.

3.      It is a humbling truth that when we experience God’s favor for such feeble obedience, we are overcome by His gracious love and provision.

4.      The wisest choice we can make in every area of our lives, in the small and the big, is to forsake all and follow Him.