What principles of successful service may we glean from the miraculous catch of fish?
Especially, Luke 5:4-11
Luke 5:1 - 11
ESV - 1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 And he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
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Asked February 17 2020
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
1. Making our resources available for God's use, even if it interferes with other priorities we may have, including those that we place a high importance on (as represented by Simon Peter making his boat -- the means of his livelihood as a fisherman -- available for Jesus to preach from) 2. Willingness to follow God's clear guidance, regardless of what objections our reason or "common sense" might raise (as indicated by Peter setting aside his doubts about Jesus' command to put out into the sea again after having caught nothing all the previous night) 3. Requesting the help of others when needed (as well as being responsive to the call of others for help) to carry out a mission assigned by God, rather than "going it alone", in order to maximize the effectiveness of our efforts (as shown by enlisting the assistance of the other boats in bringing in the catch) 4. Recognizing God's involvement in our daily affairs (as demonstrated by the fishermen's astonishment at the amount of fish caught, as well as by the fact that the nets did not break) 5. Awareness and humble acknowledgement of our unworthiness of the blessings that God bestows on us (as illustrated by Peter's confession of sin) 6. Readiness to re-order our existing priorities (totally, if necessary) at God's direction in order to serve Him (as the fishermen did when they followed Jesus' call to full-time discipleship)
Scott Broberg
Supporter
One thing to notice in the Gospels is that the disciples never catch a fish without the help of Jesus. Either they are really bad fishermen or there is a lesson in all of it about relying on the power of Jesus to "fill the nets." Part of the miracle here in Luke is that they were using the wrong type of net for the daytime hours (see below). In our human nature - we can't always understand how things are going to work out when God wants us to do something. We can easily question God's methods "because that won't work." In this case, Jesus just wants them to obey - and he will provide the fish. About the nets: There is an excellent resource called "The Sea of Galilee and Its Fishermen in the New Testament" by Mendel Nun. He was the leading expert on ancient fishing around the Sea of Galilee. He notes that based on the description of events in the Luke story the disciples would have been fishing with a "trammel net." Trammel nets are used at night because in the daytime the fish can swim around them. Peter says, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing" (5:5). Once fishing is complete you must wash and hang the nets to dry (5:2). At Tabgha, on the northeast part of the lake, there are warm springs that attract the Talapia in the winter. About 1/2 mile west of Tabgha is a perfectly shaped natural "amphitheater" on the shore where Jesus is thought to have stood in the boat to teach - using the natural acoustics. Just prior to the natural amphitheater is the ancient harbor for Tabgha. Here are a couple of photos - you can see the rocks built up to create the small harbor. https://photos.app.goo.gl/APyWQEzTQuJWEuLU6 or, here https://photos.app.goo.gl/BeWu6GbXGjEzq2Mw6
Jay Saunders
Supporter
In my opinion, the story of the loaves and fishes tells us that less is more in the Kingdom of God. God is the God of more than enough, not just enough. And with God's help all things are possible, even the impossible to those that believe. You can not get healed by God until you believe that he already did it. When his anointing falls on us in prayer, that is the confirmation, but we can not believe in what we see any longer, like a negative report or even pain. Believe in what we can not see with our 5 senses. We have to speak those things that be not as though they already are. Yes, it all sounds crazy, but the Lord healed me of epilepsy and sciatica. One: I called on others to pray and elders to anoint me with oil and pray. Two: I fasted and prayed. Three I believed in God's word to be my medicine for my healing by memorizing it and quoting it. I also rebuked Satan in all my prayers, negative thoughts and pains. The fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman can and will avail much. But his righteousness must become our righteousness, because our righteousness is as filthy rags. You have to want and believe it more than anything else on earth, even life. You must trust in your God completely and absolutely without doubt. That is when God shows up. It may take months, a year or one day, but God. Selah! Ps. My Father is always working in your behalf.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
We have to do what Jesus says even when it seems contrary to common sense or our previously studied experience. Circumstances don't matter to Christ. Previous failures have to be put aside. Obedience is of utmost importance here.
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