November 5, 2017

Leaving Behind the Best Catch of Your Life (Jesus Demonstrates His Greatness, part 1)

Passage: Luke 5:1-11

Most fishermen can probably tell you about the best fish they ever caught. What do fishermen do when they catch a lunker or catch lots of fish? They have to tell their friends. They take pictures, they take the fish to the taxidermist, they want to tell others and celebrate over their trophy fish or remarkable catch.

One thing that fishermen virtually never do is forget all about their great catch of fish. They don’t leave it all behind. Yet in today’s story, that’s exactly what happens.

The first miracle story in this section helps us understand why the disciples are willing to leave all to follow Jesus. The disciples here begin to appreciate the authority of Jesus’ words and the blessings that come to those who obey them.

Luke’s intent in providing this account of Jesus’ words and works is that we, like those first disciples, would recognize the authority of Jesus’ words, humbly submit ourselves to Jesus as our Lord and Master, and be willing to leave all to follow him. I.e., Luke is telling us some important things about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.