Today's Lectionary Text
Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Today's Devotional
From farm to table, the people who work to make sure we have food do not work 8-to-5. They work when the work needs to be done. Farmers work when crops and livestock need attention. Restaurant staffs work when we want to eat.
Life was no different for first century commercial fishermen. Simon Peter, James and John had just finished a long night of work when Jesus shows up on the lakeshore. They had to be tired and frustrated after a long and unproductive night. But when Jesus asks them to go back out onto the water, they agree. Maybe they’ve heard of Him already, maybe there was another reason. No matter the reason why, they answer the call and end up with not only nets overflowing with fish, but a calling to a new vocation.
God may not call when it is convenient for us. Life is, well, life. Work, family and everything else can keep us busy. When God calls us to serve, whether in the moment or in an entirely new vocation, it usually happens while life happens. God won’t wait for us to be sitting quietly in a holy place.
We may not get a boatload of fish as a sign like those first disciples, but we must be listening and willing to respond to God’s call. The voice may come from within, the voice may come from a stranger who comes in to our life, or the voice may come from someone we know well. But if we are willing to take the risk to respond we may find ourselves nourished with something other than a net full of fish at our feet.
--Michael Turner, pastor
Auburn, Kansas, UMC
Prayer for Reflection
Holy God, just as the disciples were called to fish for people, we are called to serve You. When we are tired, or busy, or living in a noisy world help us to listen and respond to Your voice. Amen.
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