Word@Work Luke63 - Luke 5:1-3
Published: Fri, 03/19/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
NOTHING ACCIDENTAL
Luke 5:1-3 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret [Galilee], with the people crowding round him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (NIV)
Jesus was quite intentional about who He wanted to be His first disciples. Today we start the account of how He called Simon (Peter). This fisherman already knew Jesus; the Master had stayed in his house at Capernaum and healed his mother-in-law. But Simon was still going about his usual business - mending nets and preparing the boat in the daytime, ready for fishing at night. Jesus deliberately chose that particular shallow bay, where the boats were partly hauled-out, to teach the crowd.
As the crowd increased, Jesus moved back towards the water's edge. Then He stepped into one boat: Simon's. Jesus took command and asked him to anchor some meters away from the shore. This provided the ideal preaching platform as the water and the background hills would have reflected the sound of His voice like an amphitheatre. But of all the people listening, Jesus wanted to ensure that one pair of ears heard every word: Simon's!
None of these 'co-incidences' were accidents. Nothing Jesus does is random, or accidental. He had fully intended to call Simon, so first Jesus wanted to make sure that the fisherman was listening. Although Jesus was speaking to everybody, He was especially talking to Simon; and the healing at his house was all part of the plan. Now Simon could not escape. With water all around him and the need to safeguard both his boat and his self-invited guest, Simon had the added pressure that everybody was looking at him, as well as at Jesus. Jesus had got him to listen.
Today as then, Jesus meets people where they are, at work and at home. Those meetings are part of God's strategy to win the hearts of those He has chosen. Often, as in this story, the encounter with Jesus grows as people meet Christians at work, in leisure or over a meal. They may not understand the Master's plan but Jesus intentionally draws them to the place where they can hear His Word. For some that may be months or even years down the trail. But it all starts somewhere. God chooses the places and times when He arranges His people to be available for hospitality, acts of kindness or compassion, a word of encouragement or message of hope in times of trouble. But then, Jesus wants to follow-through so that the individual can hear and receive the Word of truth. It may be a believer at work, an email or internet presentation like www.crosscheck.org.uk, a church service, mission or radio/TV programme. So pray today, wherever you are: ask the Lord how He might use you to be a part of the chain of events which will win another disciple for Jesus.
Prayer: Wonderful Lord, who desires that all shall hear Your Word and live. Thank You for the people/events/leaflets/books by which You got me to want to hear Jesus speak to me. And thank You that although He is always speaking to many, He caused me to listen and respond to You. Help me to appreciate the great privilege, of showing Your care and to sharing Your gospel to those You want to reach. May I be alert today for Your promptings so that I will recognise the opportunity to be Your co-worker in drawing others to my Saviour. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus was quite intentional about who He wanted to be His first disciples. Today we start the account of how He called Simon (Peter). This fisherman already knew Jesus; the Master had stayed in his house at Capernaum and healed his mother-in-law. But Simon was still going about his usual business - mending nets and preparing the boat in the daytime, ready for fishing at night. Jesus deliberately chose that particular shallow bay, where the boats were partly hauled-out, to teach the crowd.
As the crowd increased, Jesus moved back towards the water's edge. Then He stepped into one boat: Simon's. Jesus took command and asked him to anchor some meters away from the shore. This provided the ideal preaching platform as the water and the background hills would have reflected the sound of His voice like an amphitheatre. But of all the people listening, Jesus wanted to ensure that one pair of ears heard every word: Simon's!
None of these 'co-incidences' were accidents. Nothing Jesus does is random, or accidental. He had fully intended to call Simon, so first Jesus wanted to make sure that the fisherman was listening. Although Jesus was speaking to everybody, He was especially talking to Simon; and the healing at his house was all part of the plan. Now Simon could not escape. With water all around him and the need to safeguard both his boat and his self-invited guest, Simon had the added pressure that everybody was looking at him, as well as at Jesus. Jesus had got him to listen.
Today as then, Jesus meets people where they are, at work and at home. Those meetings are part of God's strategy to win the hearts of those He has chosen. Often, as in this story, the encounter with Jesus grows as people meet Christians at work, in leisure or over a meal. They may not understand the Master's plan but Jesus intentionally draws them to the place where they can hear His Word. For some that may be months or even years down the trail. But it all starts somewhere. God chooses the places and times when He arranges His people to be available for hospitality, acts of kindness or compassion, a word of encouragement or message of hope in times of trouble. But then, Jesus wants to follow-through so that the individual can hear and receive the Word of truth. It may be a believer at work, an email or internet presentation like www.crosscheck.org.uk, a church service, mission or radio/TV programme. So pray today, wherever you are: ask the Lord how He might use you to be a part of the chain of events which will win another disciple for Jesus.
Prayer: Wonderful Lord, who desires that all shall hear Your Word and live. Thank You for the people/events/leaflets/books by which You got me to want to hear Jesus speak to me. And thank You that although He is always speaking to many, He caused me to listen and respond to You. Help me to appreciate the great privilege, of showing Your care and to sharing Your gospel to those You want to reach. May I be alert today for Your promptings so that I will recognise the opportunity to be Your co-worker in drawing others to my Saviour. In His Name. Amen.
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