The Reading for Chapel Services on Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Luke 5: 1-11

 

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF LUKE

 

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  He got onto one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”

When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

 

THE WORD OF THE LORD

                                        and the People respond, “Thanks be to God.”

 

The Lake of Gennesaret is more commonly referred to in the Bible as the Sea of Galilee. Most of Jesus’ ministry took place on the shores of this great lake which is more than thirteen miles across. Simon Peter, James, and John were all fishermen. Jesus joined them on Simon’s boat; he met them where they were and used their own nets to demonstrate the glory of the Kingdom of God and its abundance. When they thought there was nothing to catch, Jesus proved that with God, all things are possible. If God can bring a large harvest of fish to these men, so God can harvest human beings to do his work in the world.

But God needs the help of us all. Notice Simon, James, and John leave all that is familiar behind to follow Jesus. Am I willing to step outside my comfort zone to do God’s work in the world?