"CATCHING MEN"

We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ, as this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men of every rank, part, and character are stirred up by him to oppose cause of God. But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. The truth and Precept of Christianity are against ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim at in this opposition. They would break asunder the bands of conscience, and the cords of God's commandments, they will not recieve but cost them away is far as they can. These enemies can show no good cause for opposing so just and holy government, which, it received all, would bring a heaven upon earth. They can hope for no success in so opposing so powerful a kingdom. The Lord Jesus has all power both in heaven and earth, and is head over all things to the church, notwithstanding the restless endeavor of his enemies Christ's throne is set up in his church that is, in the heart of all believers. (Psalm 2: 1-6).

It so easy to leave Jesus safely back in the first century and bring only His principle into our lives today. To counteract this tendency, lets thoughtfully recontract Luke story for the present and your present times. Similarly, there was a place in the memoried of the disciples where Jesus made a permanent impression. A place where He put His hands and feet and words in the wet cement of their lives and made an imprint so deep and profound, it would forever mold their lives.

The incident began on the damp sands of the Lake of Gennesaret, Where Simon, James, and John were cleaning theirs nets after a long night of unproductive fishing. For weeks the Galilean countryside had been humming with news of a budding new prophet on Israel's horizon: Jesus of Nazareth.

And He came down to Capernaum, a city og Galilee. And He was teaching them on the Sabbath and they were amazed at His teaching for He spoke with authority. (Luke 4:31-32).

Not only did Jesus' message have authority it had power as well. The subsequent exorcism of a demon had arrested everyone's attention in a compelling display of that power (vv. 33-35).

Annd amazement came upon them all, and tvey began discussing with one another saying, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And the report about Him was getting out into every locality in the surrounding district. (vv. 36-37). 

As e result, the next morning was abuzz with a hive of people gathered around Jesus. Now it came about that while the multitude were pressing around Him and listening to the word of God. He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boat lying at the edge of the lake; but the fisherman had gotten out of them, and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the multitudes from the boat. (Gal. 5:1-3).

Doubtless, the fisherman had heard Jesus speak before, and they, too, had been awed, not only of His presence. Now, as they hunched over their nets, picking them clean of the accumulated debris, Jesus' words penetrated their making pernament imprints.

When Jesus asked Simon to position his boat a little way from shore, Simon and his fishing partener consented. In doing so, they became a caprive audience literally. At the conclusion of His sermon, Jesus planned an object lesson that would be so vivid that the fisherman would never forget its Significance.

And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (v. 4).

Simon Peter must have thought Jesus was venturing into wters over His head. After all, fishing was Peter's business, his life and Jesus was well a preacher. And Simon answered and said, Master, we worked hard  all night caught nothing, but at your bidding I will let down the nets." (v.5).

Peter knew the best fishing spots and the most favorable condition for making a catch, but out of respect for the one he knew as "Master," he did as he was asked. Little did he realize the extent of the Master's Domain!

And when they had this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break; and they signaled to their partners in the other boat, for them to come and help them. And they came, and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. (vv. 6-7).

Peter suddenly realized that he stood in the presence of deity. This Jesus was not simply a preacher with the power to heal; He was Lord of sea and the fish, of every realm, of the entire universe! The words that followed this recognition are reminiscent of the expression of Abraham, Job, and Isaiah when they, too. Stood before the awesome presence of God. see (Genesis 18:27; Job 42:5-6; Isaiah 6:5).

But when Simon peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet. Saying,  "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" for amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also James and John, son of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. (Luke 5:8-10a). As tve boats filled with fish, the fisherman's heartds filled with awe, Speechless, they were now primed for what was to prove a life-changing announcement. A Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (v. 10b). The greek word [zogreo] means to "catch alive," it appear only one other time in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 2:26, describing a person "held caprive" by the Devil "to do his will. That snaring of humanity will continue until God's people cast their net and bring those people into the boat of salvation. Jesus wasn't giving rough, seasoned fishermen a lesson in fishing; His objective was to change their profession by changing their lives. And change their lives He did.

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and follow Him. (v. 11). Everything? The biggest catch these fishermen had ever make? Their boats? Their nets? Their livelyhood? Their home? Their families? Everything. Without an over-the-shoulder glance. Without even a second thought (compare Luke 9:62).

The lesson we can apply revolve around 3 point of verbs: choose and uses, moves and proves, conceal and reveals. The verb choose that all of us want.

1. Jesus not to minister to others all alone. Jesus deliberately involves others in His work. He could have rowed the boat and cast the net Himself, but instead He included thevdisciples. He didn't want a boatload of spectators; He wanted workers accustomed to rolling up their sleeves, feeling the tug on the nets, and sweating side by side. When He recruited them, He didn't say, "Follow Me watch Me catch men." He announced, "You will be catching men." How about you? Excellence in the Christian life requires casting our nets into the sea of humanity.