June 12, 2013

More Than Enough

Luke 5:1-11

They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
—Luke 5:6

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The widow in Elisha’s day had only a little oil, but with God’s help she ended up with every jar filled to overflowing (2 Kings 4:1-7). The disciples in Jesus’ day had fished all night and hadn’t had a nibble, but at the advice of Jesus they cast their nets one more time.

That was as “foolish” as trying to fill many containers from a small jar. You can’t catch fish in deep water in the middle of the day! But just as the widow trusted Elisha and collected jars from her neighbors, Peter and the others trusted Jesus and let down their nets. And the results were amazing!

God’s love for us is amazingly abundant. We are not loved in small drips but in flowing streams. God’s love is not measured in minnows but in boats nearly sinking under the weight of their catch.

Grace doesn’t just sprinkle our forehead; it flows down our face onto our chest and legs, soaking us with God’s compassion and mercy.

Whether we are new Christians or Christians of long years of discipleship, Jesus calls us to generously share God’s grace and love with others. Soaked to the skin with God’s abundant love, we can’t help wanting to pull others into that reviving pool with us.

Go and pour; go and cast! Then come and follow Jesus as we spread the good news of God’s love.

Jesus, thank you for loving us so generously. Help us to be as generous with your love to the people we meet to-day. Amen.

About the author — Thea Leunk

Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.

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