INVITATION TO A NEW VOCATION

Scripture Reading: Luke 5:4-11

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." 5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." 6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

"Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." Luke 5:10

Jesus' calling to be "fishers of men" is not simply a hobby we can pick up in our spare time. It's at the very heart of the Christian faith. Every church and every believer is called by God to be involved in this mission.

In our reading for today Jesus turns to Peter and says, in effect, "Until this time your whole life has revolved around catching and marketing fish. But come with me, and I will teach you how to catch men, women, and children for the kingdom of God!"

Jesus' words for us today are similar. He says to us, "The fishing business is fine--as is the computer, the insurance, and the health-care business. But every other earthly activity pales in comparison to helping an individual come to know me in a personal way." We must not let ourselves become so preoccupied with our occupations that we forget our greater vocation from God.

When the Titanic sank in 1912, only about one third of its passengers found their way onto a lifeboat to be rescued. Tragically many boats were only half-filled, and only one boat returned to rescue other people.

If you are a believer, do you simply stay in your "holy huddle," waiting for Jesus to take you safely home? Or do you circle back, getting close enough to the drowning so that you can reach out a hand and bring them on board the lifeboat of Jesus?

Prayer

Lord, may our hearts be committed to reaching out to lost people with Jesus’ love. Help us to get close enough to invite them into fellowship with you. For your sake, Amen.

Dan Jongsma