January 7th - Reflection

Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Jesus calls Simon, James, and John
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection
We've seen Jesus call some of his disciples while still a stranger to them and they got up and followed him. Here Jesus calls some other disciples, yet Jesus seems to have made a friendship of trust with them. Jesus takes them away from the crowd into deep waters and shows them his power. When Jesus power is shown to them some are afraid. But this relationship is based on trust and hope and faith, not fear.

Much the same for us today. Jesus calls us not out of fear, but out of trust and hope and faith. We follow Jesus and leave everything. We know that he is our Lord and Savior. Jesus has convinced us and amazed us. But this may not be the same calling each person receives. Some are called out of a miraculous change of life and others are called in the deep waters of friendship with Jesus.

God knows each one of us to know how to call us, teach us, and bring us to him. What a personal yet in a wider sense a corporate and understanding Savior we have! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, reach out this day and call your people, by the shore or in the deep waters, which ever you choose. --- Amen