I’m reading the book “Lead Like Jesus” (Revisited edition of 2016; authors Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges and Phyllis Hendry) and I’m recognizing numerous valuable insights for us as Vital Men. In the upcoming weeks I’ll be sharing additional perspective from this book that guides us as we apprentice learning the Jesus Way.
Take some time in the next couple days to read and reflect on Luke 5:1-11. My NIV Study Bible identifies these verses as “Jesus Provides a Miraculous Catch of Fish.” I’ll reference verses 4 and 5 right now as the pivot point for what happens with this story. “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ “
I’ll quote from Chapter 4 (Is Jesus a Relevant Role Model for Us Today?) of Lead Like Jesus …
“What do you think was going through Peter’s mind when he replied, ‘Master, we have been fishing all night and we haven’t caught a thing’? It sounds as if Peter might have been thinking something along these lines: I’ve listened to Jesus address the crowds and speak with great power and wisdom. I really respect His knowledge of God’s Word and His skill as a teacher. But now He has asked me to do something that goes totally against my own knowledge and instincts about how to run my fishing business. Jesus doesn’t know fishing; I know fish and fishing. That’s my business, and what Jesus asks is not practical. Besides, doing what He says will probably be a waste of time and energy – and my workers are going to wonder if have lost my mind!
However, Peter’s skepticism did not prevent him from taking the step of faith – the step of obedience – because the instructions had come from Jesus. Because Peter exercises his faith in this way, he experienced miraculous results, but he was overwhelmed by the gap he perceived between himself and what Jesus would require of him.”
OBEDIENCE … Jesus is asking you and me to be obedient. Even when it goes against common thinking. Against our seemingly better judgment. Against what the culture thinks. Trust Jesus.
