October 05, 2007

"From Now On ..."

Luke 5:1-11

Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

—  Luke 5:10

What does he know about fishing anyway? This thought was probably running through Simon's mind after Jesus told him to go into deep water and throw out his fishing nets for a catch. Simon had already had a long night of catching nothing! Why go out again?

But the nets immediately filled up and nearly yanked Simon out of the boat! There was a great harvest of fish here, and the workers were few! In fact, Simon and his fellow fishermen had to ask for more workers! They signaled to their partners in another boat, and the catch they hauled in was so great that both boats nearly sank. It amazed the seasoned fishermen and struck fear into Simon's heart.

Then Jesus said, "Don't be afraid," and he commissioned Simon and the others to join him on another kind of fishing adventure. As he spoke, perhaps Jesus nodded toward the people still standing on the shore: "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

Let's listen and learn with Simon Peter and the others, shall we? Jesus is at work today generating another great harvest, and you and I are invited to pray for and call forth more workers in that harvest of the Lord (see Luke 10:2).

Are you a part of God's answer to that prayer? Are you working toward the Lord's harvest?

Lord Jesus, fill us with your Spirit so that we are ready to point people to you and welcome all who come into your kingdom. In your name we pray. Amen.

About the author — David Den Haan

Pastor Dave Den Haan has served at Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, since 1999. Previously he served a church in Minnesota. Dave and his wife, Connie, have three children.

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