Follow Me

The scripture lesson is from Luke 5.

Jesus calls disciples

5 One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. ² Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. ³ Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. ⁴ When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, “Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch.”

⁵ Simon replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets.”
⁶ So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. ⁷ They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” ⁹ Peter and those with him were overcome with amazement because of the number of fish they caught. ¹⁰ James and John, Zebedee’s sons, were Simon’s partners and they were amazed too.
Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.” ¹¹ As soon as they brought the boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.  (CEB)

In America today the concept of religious piety is being rejected.  The church is declining at an alarming rate.  The Church must get back to the basics:  We are followers of Christ, and Christ alone.

When Jesus walked among men, people were drawn to him; they were compelled, wanted to be in his presence.  This was not because his teachings were easy.  To the contrary, they were hard stuff contrary to human nature.  Look at the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus, among many other things, taught that to hate was to commit murder, to lust was to commit adultery, to be persecuted is blessing; hard teachings indeed.

Because we fear the message of Christ is too radical for the masses, we attempt to disguise Jesus, to soften his message. " Since his teachings are too radical, let's make it a little bit
 easier." 

Jesus clearly said he is the only way.

Some make the message more than Jesus intended by attempting to impose rules and regulations, much as the Pharisees of Jesus's day did.

Why are we trying to disguise Him?  The disguises we use have made Jesus unattractive, He to whom the people of his day were attracted.  

 Ask Jesus to change our hearts such that we won't change His message.

 We cannot help people by disguising the Jesus they need. 
People are sick of the sham Jesus we are presenting.

In today's reading note that when Jesus said do it, Peter did it.  An act of blind obedience, for he knew not what the outcome would be.  Jesus gave no assurances but simply told him to cast his nets on the other side.

Sometimes Jesus might ask of us to do that which is scary or intimidating, the outcome of obedience uncertain.  We need to do it; obedience is key.

When we are with Jesus we are in good company. 
Though we may have no idea how things will work out if we walk in obedience everything will be all right.
In the instance of these fishermen, they found that on their worst day there was abundance.  They realized that something miraculous happened.  Peter was so fearful that he asked Jesus to leave. He was humbled and terrified.     

Like Peter, we assume sinners have no [place in the presence of Jesus.  Not so.  Jesus offers healing, cleansing, comfort.  Jesus wants to repair and use broken people.

At His bidding, these fishermen left everything, their very means of livelihood, and followed Jesus!

If you are paralyzed by fear of the unknown, by feelings of unworthiness, listen!  Jesus says, Don't be afraid.  Follow me.  Fish for people.  Participate in what I am doing.

The call to follow included the invitation to participate in His mission!  

Go with Him to places where people need Him.  Follow in His footsteps to bring light to the lost.
Don't be afraid.  Maybe we need to think about casting the net on the other side.  Jesus wants to use us to be the light if we would be obedient.

God calls you to do something.  Go with it!  Obedience. 

Preacher Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning