The Word This Week
Luke 5:1…
What do fishermen know other men do not?
They know how to read time and tides. They know which lure to employ depending upon the lighting and climate conditions. They know which lure to use for which fish. They know where the fish hang out and what kind of cover they prefer. They know how water temperature affects whether the fish are in the shallows or in the depths. They know whether to use a line or a net, and when each may be appropriate. They know that patience is required and sometimes even knowing everything you know about all of this – no fish are caught.
This was the condition of Peter and his friends when Jesus encountered them. They had fished all night and caught nothing. The only thing all their expertise had provided them was empty nets that needed cleaning.
Did the fact they caught nothing mean they would give up and never fish again? No. They fully understood catching nothing is oftentimes to be expected. They also understood they may go through prolonged times of catching nothing…
But they do know the fish are there, unseen. And they know the promise is if they keep at it long enough and employ the expertise they have gained from years of experience, they will indeed catch fish – if not immediately, than eventually.
Then along comes this Carpenter. It’s kind of amazing how He teaches isn’t it? And how He healed Peter’s mother-in-law of her high fever? Incredible. Had Peter been in the synagogue at Capernaum when Jesus drove the demon out of the man who was possessed? Probably.
But what could this Carpenter know about fishing? Peter was the fishing expert – not Jesus. And Peter knew all they had just been through – toiling all night to no avail. There would be no fish caught this day. They had already given it their best shot, and nada. Zip. Nothing.
Why listen to this Carpenter from Nazareth about his area of vast expertise?
There was a powerful lesson for Peter to learn here – and it would apply to men, not fish.
Pastor Bill
What do fishermen know other men do not?
They know how to read time and tides. They know which lure to employ depending upon the lighting and climate conditions. They know which lure to use for which fish. They know where the fish hang out and what kind of cover they prefer. They know how water temperature affects whether the fish are in the shallows or in the depths. They know whether to use a line or a net, and when each may be appropriate. They know that patience is required and sometimes even knowing everything you know about all of this – no fish are caught.
This was the condition of Peter and his friends when Jesus encountered them. They had fished all night and caught nothing. The only thing all their expertise had provided them was empty nets that needed cleaning.
Did the fact they caught nothing mean they would give up and never fish again? No. They fully understood catching nothing is oftentimes to be expected. They also understood they may go through prolonged times of catching nothing…
But they do know the fish are there, unseen. And they know the promise is if they keep at it long enough and employ the expertise they have gained from years of experience, they will indeed catch fish – if not immediately, than eventually.
Then along comes this Carpenter. It’s kind of amazing how He teaches isn’t it? And how He healed Peter’s mother-in-law of her high fever? Incredible. Had Peter been in the synagogue at Capernaum when Jesus drove the demon out of the man who was possessed? Probably.
But what could this Carpenter know about fishing? Peter was the fishing expert – not Jesus. And Peter knew all they had just been through – toiling all night to no avail. There would be no fish caught this day. They had already given it their best shot, and nada. Zip. Nothing.
Why listen to this Carpenter from Nazareth about his area of vast expertise?
There was a powerful lesson for Peter to learn here – and it would apply to men, not fish.
Pastor Bill