Memorize: Simon Peter follows Jesus
Key Verses: 4, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16, 23, 31, 38
Jesus spends some time sitting in a boat teaching the crowd on shore. We are not sure what the content of His teaching was, but when He is through teaching he asks for a demonstration of faith. Simon throws the empty net that has caught nothing all night. But this time, it comes up overflowing with fish to the point of breaking. Jesus didn’t just have a few fish swim into the net, but too many. I am not sure what He taught with words, but I hear a message from these verses that speaks loudly to me. If I am willing to take Jesus at His word, He will supply abundantly for all my needs.
Peter recognized the divine origin of this miracle. He was a fisherman. He knew about fish. There is no way he should have been able to catch any fish. But he didn’t let his ‘knowledge’ of fishing get in the way of believing and obeying. They left their nets and boats and followed Jesus.
Jesus authority extends beyond fish. He has authority over disease. A man with an incurable and disabling disease has faith in Jesus’ abilities. He approaches and asks for a healing. Jesus replies with healing.
One of the characteristics of Jesus is that He withdraws for prayer. He needs connection. He must discern the Father’s direction. Don’t we need this as well?
Jesus confronts the religious leaders and they are speechless. He proves his power to forgive by providing physical healing, something that could not be denied. These were not empty works. Anyone can claim to do an invisible, immeasurable miracle. But to proved the invisible Jesus makes His power visible.
Jesus hangs out with those who need help, not with those who think they don’t need it. Jesus won’t force Himself on anyone. We must choose to believe and obey. He can make it uncomfortable to not believe, but He won’t force us.
Old wine versus new wine. When someone gets used to one way of thinking, it is hard to change that. The religious leaders had their minds made up. They liked it the way it was. They didn’t want to have to figure out something new. Sounds like they got stuck in a rut, just like we do. Sometimes you have to take a step in a different direction to get out of a rut.
The Arnold Journey 