One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats…. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:1-5)
One of the key “faith facts” we’ve seen over and over again in this study, is the fact that Jesus is looking for us…like the Samaritan woman at the well. He notices us when others don’t, like the woman with the issue of blood. He recognizes humility, like the Centurion. Today, he notices an ordinary fisherman named Simon Peter.
In a Crowd – we’ve discussed this before…that Jesus notices us even when the rest of the world ignores us. We read that the crowd was pressing in on Jesus. He had to push out from the shoreline so the crowds could hear his teaching. The world is big and busy. We all have problems. But God notices you. He hears you when you pray. He cares for you!
I know it is easy to feel overlooked or forgotten or unimportant. But that’s not the case with God. He will always find you. You’re never lost in a crowd with him.
At Work – this may be one of my favorite parts of the story. We have this notion that the only place to meet Jesus is at church…maybe that’s why some people avoid church like the plague! But Peter wasn’t at church when he met Jesus – he was at work.
Peter wasn’t looking for Jesus, but Jesus showed up anyway. My wife is an amazing bundle of energy in the morning. I call her Morning Chris. Morning Chris is industrious and often strips the sheets off the bed to wash them. Then she goes to work. But Evening Chris gets home, tired after a long day of work and often forgets there are no sheets on the bed when it’s time for sleep. Evening Jim and Chris don’t like Morning Chris at that moment! Well this is Evening Peter. He’s working, washing and repairing the fishing nets after a long night of fishing. He’s probably grumbling and cursing his luck on the lake.
His work was boring. Tedious. Ordinary. But that’s exactly where and when Jesus found him.
After a Bad Day – In his discussion with Jesus, we get a glimpse of what Peter’s day had been like. He’d been on the water all night. He says:“…we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing….(Luke 5:5, CSB)
Now remember, this isn’t taking the day off to go bass fishing…this is his living. No fish, no money. No money…no food, no shelter, no clothes. He had failed. It was a bad day.
But here’s the hope of faith: God finds us. Jesus showed up and changed everything! No matter where you are. No matter what you’re doing. No matter what your circumstances. God will find you. Join us Sunday for our final sermon in our series: How Firm a Foundation.
