God’s Toolbox
God’s Toolbox
The Lesson on the Lake
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Luke 5 begins with some important lessons for all of us, but the most important one is
to follow Jesus, right now.
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Welcome to God's Toolbox the Bible. Today's topic is about the lesson on the lake from Luke chapter 5 verses 4 through 11. In this Bible story, Jesus had asked Simon Peter, the fisherman, to allow him to sit with him in his boat and teach the crowd that had gathered at the lake of Genesareth. Peter agreed, and when Jesus finished preaching to the people, he told Peter to go out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch of fish. Simon Peter, who was a professional fisherman, respectfully told Jesus, Master, we have fished hard all night and didn't catch anything, but because you say so, I will let down the nets. Once he did so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break and their boats began to sink. They had to signal to their partners in the other boat to come and help out. When Peter saw what was happening he was so astonished that he felt afraid and unworthy to be in Jesus' presence. But Jesus told him, Peter, you will now be a fisher of men. Simon Peter left it all and followed Jesus. So what lesson do we learn from this story? Well, first we learn that it makes a difference when Jesus is in our boat. These professionals had done all they knew to do and had come up empty, but with Jesus on board they were wildly successful. We need Jesus in our lives, not as a lucky charm, but as the leader and navigator of our every move. Secondly, Peter didn't try to argue with Jesus or lay out a logical, rational explanation about why it wouldn't make sense to go out on the lake again. He didn't talk about what all they had already tried and still failed at. No, he obeyed. He said because it's you, Lord, I'm going to be obedient. So we too must stop the chatter and the hesitation and be obedient to God's word. Obedience is better than sacrifice. God's word alone can bring mighty blessings. But Peter didn't seem ready for the huge catch. So thirdly, are you prepared for the mighty blessings of God? When you're obedient to him, you can expect a great blessing. So be ready to accept a big haul. And finally, Jesus had shown himself to Peter. The word says that Peter left it all to follow Jesus. Not the next day, the next week, month, or year, but right then. So the most important lesson of all today is follow Jesus right now. No more waiting. Follow him now. God bless you. Join us next week for another edition of God's Toolbox, the Bible.