Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
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Chapter 5Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, Verse 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Verse 3He 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. Verse 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Verse 5Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." Verse 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. Verse 7So 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. Verse 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Verse 9For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; Verse 10and 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." Verse 11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Devotion
What is it about Jesus' call that is so powerful? How do we hear it today? Does it take a miracle of gargantuan proportions in our eyes to see the power of God in Christ and follow him? For some it is the miracle of a visit from a friend at just the right time, a silent prayer from someone you have never met or an anonymous child's smile at you in the grocery store. Or perhaps it is an unexpected catch of fish when you were least expecting it. Although we know neither when nor how it will come, God does call. How will you answer?
Prayer
You come to us in so many different ways, O Lord. Help us to be ever watchful, and prepare us to answer your call with a resounding "Yes, Lord!" Amen.