Forsaking and Following

N.T.#504 "Forsaking and Following"

March 11, 2025 

Luke 5

LET IT GLOW

Yes, we were young, my husband and I, when we first followed Jesus. He left a job of 5 years and benefits. We both left families, home, friends, and our home church. We stepped out in faith to go to college some 6 hours away from it all. We stepped out into the unknown with the Savior leading. Folks, Jesus provided and protected us those years. My husband pastored little churches and we both held down jobs. Our children were preschoolers when we left. I wouldn't take anything for the experiences and blessings God gave us. He is faithful whenever we walk by faith in Him. Someone in today's lesson learned to follow Jesus' bidding, too.

Now we have a different situation beginning in this chapter. It could have occurred the next morning. One day Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, another name for Gennesaret. Great crowds pressed in on Him so to listen to the Word of God. (That was a good thing, right?) But the crowd began to hinder Jesus' effectiveness. 

Can you picture with me crowds sitting along the hillside and shore of this body of water? 

The Sea of Galilee (Luke calls it a lake.) is 685 feet below sea level, 7 miles wide, and 12 miles long. During that day, it was abundant with fish.  (Fallwell)

Jesus noticed 2 empty boats along the water's edge, since the fishermen were mending their nets. Look what Jesus did. He got into one of the boats and asked its owner, Simon Peter, to thrush out a little from the land. (verse 3)

Thrust means to put out (to sea).

Jesus sat in Peter's boat and taught the people from it, in the water. (In Mark 1, we read of the calling of Simon Peter and brother Andrew, James and brother John, fishermen. Immediately those men left their fishing business and followed Jesus.)  We don't know what sermon Jesus taught from, yet it must have been very effective. What a personal relationship Jesus developed with Peter.  Jesus healed his mother-in-law; took him on mission trips, heard Jesus confront the Pharisees and Sanhedrin, Jewish leaders; experienced miracles by the Master; saw first-hand the Transformation.

In return, Peter walked on water with Jesus, proclaimed Jesus is the Son of the Living God, sliced off a Roman soldier's ear when they came to take Jesus away, witnessed His trial from afar, saw the Savior on the cross, and preached the great message on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 were saved. (We have an advantage of looking forward, but Peter didn't.) What an exciting life for Peter.

Did you notice that Peter stopped what he was doing, mending and washing his fishing nets, got into the boat with Jesus, and rowed out a little way? 

Are we quick to obey Jesus, do His Word, share His working and marvelous love? Are you willing to forsake it all and follow Jesus? What a thrilling Christian life it is when you do so!

LET IT GROW

(I know this is long but stick with me. It has a fascinating ending.

Jesus returned the favor, too. Whenever He was finished speaking, Jesus told Peter to go out wherever it is deeper and let down the nets again for a draught. (Fish retreated to the deeper water where it is cooler during the day.) At night fish come to the surface.

Draught means catching (of fish);a haul (of fish).

What did Peter do? He got sassy. 

Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy Word I will let down the net. (verse 5)

Then Peter obeyed, not after lunch, but immediately Peter obeyed Jesus again. Boy, did Pete make a haul! There was so much fish in the net that it began to break and Peter called his partners to help them. Partners James and John came to rescue Peter and Andrew. Both ships were filled with fish and they were on the verge of sinking. (Remember, they are out in the deep water.) 

That is when Peter fell at Jesus' knees and said, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O LORD. (verse 8)

Peter must have been reluctant or doubtful when he rowed out deeper. Anyway, he realized at that moment who Jesus is-the God who provides (Jehovah Jire). 

We can't leave it there. The guys hauled in the haul of fish that Jesus gave them to land. Jesus told Peter, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (verse 10)

They forsook all, and followed Him (Jesus). Is Jesus calling you to forsake all and follow Him? It may not be to move away, but with an attitude we can serve God with a whole heart, not just a half heart. Then watch God work through you!

Good intentions are not enough; only the Lord can make an otherwise futile life productive. (Swindoll)

LET IT GO

Jesus, we are all sinners. Please save the lost from eternal damnation.

Show Your grace and mercy to all who will believe in You as their Savior.

Thank You, Jesus for loving us so much that You would die in our place, suffering the consequences of our sin!

O what a Savior! Isn't He wonderful!