HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke 5:4-6
Christ Singles Out an Individual’s Disappointment
It was not easy for Jesus Christ to be alone, men were so eager and so curious about Him. Not only did they crowd around Him in the villages, where at any moment there might be a work of healing, but they also watched Him as He stole away into retirement, among the hills, or by the seashore. Our lesson opens, then, with Jesus at the seaside, and there, as in Capernaum, there is a great crowd around Him, eager to listen to the Word of God. Then Jesus steps into one of the fishing boats and preaches there–note the many and strange pulpits in which Christ preached. And when the sermon was over, and Jesus was doubtless weary–what did He do? Did He ask for a drink of water? He immediately turned to Peter in whose boat he was and said to him, “Launch out into the deep.” He had seen the disappointed look on Peter’s face. He had detected that the night’s fishing was a failure. All the excitement of the thronging crowd, and all the effort of telling them God’s news had not made Him careless of one man’s disappointment. So may we learn to trust Christ’s individual care, though we are only atoms in a countless multitude. Then follows the miracle, and the call to discipleship, and so this brief but exquisite lesson closes.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW …..
