Day 9
Luke 9

I enjoyed taking Shady Grove on a fishing trip on Sunday morning. We found out how Jesus tells the experts the secret of fishing when He tellls them to “Fish on the other side of the boat.” I shared with my church family how I caught a catfish one day and was so proud , Only one fish and I held him so tight that he stung me. I got home and  cleaned the fish and put him in the hot Mrs Tucker Lard  and ate the whole fish by myself.I was so proud of that one fish . I called out to my Mama and Daddy that I had caught something after all day and at the edge of dark I caught a fish…Yes!!!

Sometimes, we still don’t have any luck! We need Jesus as our fish finder! For when the disciples pulled their nets in and cast them out on the other side of the boat, their nets were so full of fish; they had to call out for help to drag them in. Their fish catch filled both boats-Simon and Andrew’s boat and James and John’s boat- so full, the boats began to sink.
Look what Peter does. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said… “Lord, I am a sinful man. “ Jesus first call to us is a call to believe in Him as our Savior. But Jesus’ call does not end with belief. Jesus call is also a call to commitment!“Now that you have made me your Savior, make me the Lord of your life.” Jesus’ response to Peter “From now on you will catch men, Peter.” The Scripture says the men pulled their boats up on shore AND LEFT EVERYTHING and followed Jesus.

Jesus called the disciples to fellowship, belief and discipleship. Jesus was also calling them to new territory. He was inviting them to leave the comfort zone of the familiar waters of the Sea of Galilee to go to places they had never been before. Jesus was calling them to new jobs, new tasks. He was beckoning them to do things they had never done before. Now I am sure the disciples were uneasy that day when the seemingly madman, demon-possessed, came out of the tombs, all bloody from cutting himself with stones, screaming blood-curried screams. That is, until Jesus sent the demons into a herd of pigs. I am sure the disciples felt uncomfortable beside the bedside of a young dead girl and her mourning parents. They were in new territory. I wonder if they watched with wonder as Jesus fed the hungry multitude or attended to the sick and afflicted. I wonder if they ever felt like saying as they watched Jesus “I will never be able to help or serve folks like that, Jesus. I have never done this kind of thing before. Remember, I am just a fisherman.

Jesus’ calling to the disciples was also a call to spiritual understanding. The disciples spent three years with Jesus, hearing Him teach about God. He told them of His purpose in coming to earth. He told them about His death and Resurrection, even though they did not understand at the time. They spent three years under Jesus’ teaching and training. Even after the Resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days on the earth, giving further instructions to the disciples

Jesus and the disciples were walking along the road. Jesus made the same calling he made to the disciples to two other men that day. “Follow Me”, he called. But these two men’s response was not the same as the fishermen and tax collector. They responded “I will follow you, Jesus, but first….” Apparently, these two men were believers in Jesus. But they were not willing to make the sacrifice necessary to follow Jesus. Sadly, that is our response far too often. “Jesus, I will accept you as Savior—Jesus, I will spend more time in fellowship with you— I will become more dedicated and serve you more, Lord–but FIRST…”

Jesus never calls us to a task He will not empower us to do. Where He Lead Me I Will  Follow