11.09.07
Christ’s Authority Over Nature (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)
Christ’s Authority Over Nature (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)
Once Christ made a home in Capernaum, word spread, and … crowds would come. What was Christ’s major emphasis during His public ministry? Proclaim the Word of God. But, according to Luke, the crowding was so great that there was not enough room for Christ to address the people.
Simon had perhaps come to confess his faith in the person of Christ. He had traveled to the wedding feast with Jesus, but it appears that in the interim he had taken up his duties as a fisherman again. He had been brought to faith in Christ, but he had not been called to service for Christ. Christ now makes this request – leave your labor and become His servant. And the first task wasn’t hard for the fisherman, row the boat a little way out from the shore so Jesus could speak. Then we see Jesus taking on the role of Rabbi as He opened the Scriptures and interpreted them to the crowd that came to listen.
Before Christ calls Simon to service again, He authenticates Himself to him. Row out into deep water, and humor me, let down your nets again. Simon was a fisherman, he knew the habits of fish! It’s not the right time, nor is it the right place, this was folly. But, Simon did it, not because he believed there were any fish to catch, but because Christ commanded it. Simon was obedient. And when the fish came…Simon knew this was not luck, it was not a natural occurrence or freak accident, this was supernatural. Every law of nature screamed this would not be…this man has command over nature!
This brought authentication and conviction to Simon. He calls Jesus ‘Lord’ in verse 8. Not Lord as a matter of respect, this was a matter of messianic proportions. Christ first responds by bringing words of comfort to Simon. Don’t be afraid to stand in the presence of the Messiah. Then Christ gives the commission to Simon – come follow me. Then comes a promise – I will make you fishers of men.
In Mark’s account, we see James and John, partners with their father and having many others in a lucrative fishing business. Jesus calls them away from their boats, nets, loyalty to family and business. And…they were obedient.
You see – when truly called by Christ, Christ takes precedence over even the authority of a father and the demands of a lucrative business / enterprise. These men left all to follow Jesus.
And us? What was it that led us to follow the call? Did we have to leave anything? Or did we make it fit into our schedules and lives, so we gave the call a portion of our time and attention, but not our all?
