Have you ever felt like it’s taking five times as long to advance through one of The Gospels as it should – especially when it’s a re-read? Well that’s what it’s like for me reading through The Book of Luke, again. New revelations simply have me so transfixed!
For example here’s something that jumped out at me today from Luke Chapter 5 – The event that immediately precedes Simon’s decision (along with John’s and James’) to abandon their livelihood and lifestyles to follow Jesus.
To summarize it came down to Jesus having entered into one of Simon’s ships, and then instructing him to do two things: 1)”Thrust out a little from the land,” and 2)“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.” (Really three instructions all-told). To instruction #2a/b Simon – Simon being Simon – retorts “Master we have toiled all night and have taken nothing; nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.” His reaction isn’t that unfamiliar; no doubt we’ve challenged The Lord’s direction a time or two …
And we know how the rest of that encounter goes – Jesus performs a work. We might call it a miracle whereby the nets break for the deluge of fish, two boats filled with fish nearly sink, and Peter, shaken by this demonstration of The Christ’s power; and now the subject of a personal blessing far beyond anything he could have ever hoped for or imagined, Simon decides that he is “a sinful man” and not worthy of, perhaps even fearful of being in the company of the one he now suddenly reverences as “Lord.” (Luke 5: 1-11).
Okay, so we get the main point – the moral of the story; Trust God and be blessed. And we’ll take our obvious conclusions at its most superficial level and leave satisfied; but wait – there’s more.
1-2-3 Follow Me
Paying close attention to the sequence of layered events, so many things reveal themselves. How about the call to thrust out a little from the land (to move away from land – the familiar safe place where the fishermen go when they think they’re done – the first destination on their way home when they’ve expended the day’s effort or in this case – the night’s effort; back onto solid ground albeit empty-handed). One other fascinating observation is that Jesus then sits down in Simon’s boat. Establishing himself; this time entering into and taking a position of occupancy in something significant belonging to Simon – the source of his livelihood (Where as He had only visited something of significance in Simon’s life – his home). Luke 4:38. It seems He is progressively building presence in Simon’s life in those places most valuable to him.
Okay – what about the second instruction – the two-parter; to “Launch out into the deep AND let down your nets …” But Jesus didn’t stop at let down your nets His instruction was tied to an outcome – a specific outcome “for a draught.”
So a couple things:
The pattern that Jesus established with Simon and his companions seems to be the framework for life as a disciple. He was setting the stage – laying the groundwork for making them fishers of men. But the episode at the lake and everything leading up to it also seems to be His harvest. He had actually begun seeding Simon’s heart some time before. He’d left the Synagogue where He had just exorcised and unclean spirit, and word of His exploits having spread throughout the region, He entered into Simon’s house where Simon’s mother-in-law was ailing. He rebuked the “great fever” and healed her. For which her immediate response was to begin serving Him and the company. Its easy to imagine these miraculous demonstrations of concern for things at the core of Simon’s life, and then the mother-in-law’s instantaneous reaction of gratitude to her healing would no doubt take root in the souls of men who would soon forsake all to follow Him, long before Jesus entered the ship at the lake of Genessaret.
Jesus’ bullet points
- Jesus has a master plan.
- Jesus laid a foundation of compassion, and established the foundation for his leadership and authority in the hearts and minds of men he called to follow Him.
- Jesus occupies Simon’s ship. Sat down and taught the people out of the ship.
- He seizes an opportunity – an empty vessel. He takes up occupancy. He takes control, and He executes His agenda.
- Thrust out a little from the land
- Create distance between yourself and the thing/place you’ve just accepted as safe or logical.
- Launch into the deep
- Go beyond – perhaps beyond your norm, or beyond where you have gone before.
- Let down your nets for a draught.
- Be deliberate in your release.
- Expect a return. Expect a harvest. Expect His reward.
Simon’s bullet points
- We have toiled all night.
- And have taken nothing.
The other glaringly obvious thing is the contrast between Jesus’ uber-productive way, power and plan. He is entirely self-possessed and He rewards obedience (even doubtful obedience) with mind-bending blessing; in sharp contrast to man’s futile toiling in the dark only to come up empty. But God’s plan to capture our attention, defy logic, and arrest our soul isn’t gimmickry. It’s about His love for us – a love that would lead him to give his life in order to have our very soul reconciled to The Father. It’s more than rebuking demons, chastening sickness, healing diseases and producing boats full of fish. The Harvest – all of us reigning with Him in Glory; that’s the master plan – That’s The Master’s Plan.
Image by: Quang Ngyuen Vinh
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