Growing Deeper

Text: Luke 5:1-11

Peter and his friends appeared somewhat indifferent to Jesus. They went about washing their nets while the crowd pushed their way up to Jesus to listen to what He had to say. Jesus could have chosen to ignore these disciples. But what did Jesus do? Vs 3 tell us that Jesus initiates the conversation with Peter. Jesus was concern for Peter, thus, He wanted Peter to know Him more deeply and experience Him more fully. Jesus singling out Peter showed that Jesus wanted to minister not only to the masses but to each of us individually also.

Jesus’ personal ministry to Peter continued further when He commanded Peter on vs. 4. Note here that a carpenter-teacher (Jesus) was telling a professional fisherman how to fish. But Peter obeyed. Obedience is the key for us to know Jesus more deeply and experience Him more fully. The fruit of their obedience motivated Jesus to call them for His ministry. Because they obeyed the first command, Jesus gave them the call in vs. 10. Vs. 11 tells us that they (Peter, James and John) left everything behind and followed Jesus.

Friends, unless Peter obeyed the first command, there would have been no second command or request for him. Then Peter and his friend would have missed out on God’s direct intervention in their lives. Likewise, we need to take the first small step of obedience before God will work mightily in our lives.

Many of us have been Christians for a long time. Most of us are born to Christian parents. The length of time or period we have become Christian does not actual matters. What matters the most is how deeply do we know Christ? And how can we know Him better and serve Him more? Obedience is the first step to know Christ better and to grow deeper into a personal relationship with Him.