Big Idea: Jesus connects this miracle on the Sea of Galilee with the commission for all of his disciples to go into all the world and call people into his kingdom through the preaching of the good news.
Matthew 4:19 (ESV) — 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
_________________ Men, _________________ Commands
Luke 5:2 (ESV) — 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
Luke 5:10–11 (ESV) — 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Jesus methods are not the world’s methods and Jesus message is not the world’s message.
John 18:36 (ESV) — 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
What Jesus wanted then, and what Jesus wants now, are those who will trust him and follow his simple commands.
Luke 5:5 (ESV) — 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
Jesus does not say let down your nets in vain. He says let down your nets because he is about to do something with the nets that are cast.
_________________ God, ________________ Purpose
Luke 5:5–7 (ESV) — 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
Not only is Jesus all-knowing, he is also all powerful.
Psalm 135:5–6 (ESV) — 5 For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
Psalm 33:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Just like Jesus’ power attended these commands for Peter to cast out into the deep and let down his nets, so to will Jesus’ power attend his commands in the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) — 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The same Jesus, who had the power to direct the fish into the nets, is the same Jesus who can call people unto himself.
Acts 2:36-41
Questions to Consider
What is the connection that Jesus makes in our text for this morning?
What does Matt. 28:19 promise us?
Who might you preach the gospel to this week, trusting the Lord’s power to save?
In what other areas of your life is Jesus calling you to trust his simple commands?
