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Fishing for Men!
Scripture reading for March 21st: Luke 4:31-5:11
I like to fish when the fish are biting! I hate fishing when all I do is set there and wait with no results! It seems like a waste of time! I have gone fishing numbers of times and caught nothing! I must be God’s gift to fish! However, there is another kind of fishing that never gets boring! This kind of fishing involves the biggest catch of all! Jesus recruited three of His original disciples from the ranks of fishermen to become fishers of men!
In today’s reading, Luke tells the story of Jesus using Simon Peter’s fishing boat as a platform to preach and teach from. The fishermen had toiled all night and were washing their nets as Jesus asked to use their boat. When Jesus was finished teaching, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4-9) These seasoned fishermen did not think that Jesus knew what He was talking about because they had worked all night and caught nothing! But because He asked them, they obeyed and were overwhelmed with a net-bursting catch! They filled both boats so full that they began to sink!
When Peter saw the miraculous catch, he fell at Jesus’ feet and was apologetic for his unbelief! “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”” (Luke 5:10b-11) The three fishermen dropped everything and left it all to follow Jesus!
Jesus had a plan to catch men for the kingdom of Heaven. He would find men and women who would be willing to follow Him by faith and learn of Him. His ways were different from the world. He took a simple fishing boat and made it a place to preach from. He took simple fishermen and taught them to fish for men! They must be willing to leave their ways and work and follow Him in His way and work! He calls, and they must decide to follow!
Have you heard the call of the Master Fisher of Men? Have you given Him your ‘boat’ to use? Have you come humbly to Him and confessed your sinfulness? Are you willing to leave all to follow Him and learn how to fish for men? The path to the biggest catch of your life will be determined by your response!
The Spirit of the Lord!
Scripture reading for March 20th: Luke 4:1-30
The Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus at His baptism immediately led Him to the desert for a time of testing. Jesus withstood each test over the forty days by quoting Scripture. “Man does not live by bread alone” was Jesus’ word to the Devil. (Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus returned from the testing in the desert by Satan in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:14)
Jesus then went to his home town of Nazareth and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. He stood up to read and was given the scroll of Isaiah the Prophet. He unrolled it and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)
The Holy Spirit in a person brings power to witness to God’s love and grace. Just like oil poured over a king brings empowerment, the Spirit empowered Jesus to preach the ‘Good News’ to those lost and bound by sin, sickness and disease. He would open eyes that were blind and enable them to see. Because of the Spirit, prisoners would be set free in glorious liberty. Jesus had come to His own people in His home town to share the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy!
The best news was the ‘acceptable year of the Lord’. This spoke of the year of ‘Jubilee’ that God had proclaimed in the Law for every fiftieth year. On the year of Jubilee, land was to be restored to original owners, slaves were to be set free, and debts were to be forgiven. Each person would receive a new start! It was a little picture of God’s restoration process in action. (Leviticus 25:8-54) Jesus announced that the year of “Jubilee” was at hand in His ministry!
This ‘good news’ is something to get in on for yourself. Jesus is our ‘Jubilee’! In Him we are set free, healed, and delivered from bondage. In Him we have an eternal inheritance that cannot be stolen or lost! The Holy Spirit is the down-payment of the promised complete restoration when He returns! This ‘good news’ is also to be shared with all nations and peoples by those who received it! Come Lord Jesus!
The Son of Man (Adam)
Scripture reading for March 19th: Luke 3:23-38, Psalms 62:1-12, Proverbs 11:18-19
To most people, Bible genealogy is boring reading. But Luke was careful to include a genealogy for Jesus through Joseph that went all the way back to Adam. He wanted to show that Jesus was the Son of Man as well as the Son of God. This genealogy has some interesting insights for us that will help us with our faith and give us encouragement.
The Bible contains lots of names and often the names have great significance. For starters, God knows our name! He deals with us as individuals and not as a number among billions. God also has a record of offspring and has kept that record for us to show us that Jesus, the second Adam, can be traced to the original Adam! (Roman 5:18-19) As the first Adam brought sin to all men through his disobedience, so through the obedience of Jesus Christ, righteousness was brought to all who would believe! God had a plan that He brought forth through succeeding generations that culminated with the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ!
Another interesting observation about the genealogy in Luke is the flow of the story of Jesus through promises made and recorded. Noah obeyed God and built an ark that carried him and his three sons and their families to safety. (Genesis 6:18-22) Through them the promised redeemer would come since all others on earth were destroyed! Abraham was told that through his son, Isaac, all families of the earth would be blessed! (Genesis 12:3) This promise was repeated to Isaac’s son Jacob in the next generation and recorded for us! (Genesis 28:14) God’s developing story line is captured here in the flow of individuals through the stage of history as recorded by the Bible.
Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, a son of Jacob. This line brought forth the second king of Israel, David. God told David that from him would come a King that would rule forever! (2nd Samuel 7:12-13) One of David’s offspring several generations later was Zerubbabel, the governor of Jerusalem, who helped rebuild the temple. (Zechariah 4:6-10)
God’s plan is again confirmed as we look at this special list of names. The question for us is this: Is our name written in God’s book? We must be born again by faith in the Son of Man to be in the Book of Life!
Fruit of repentance!
Scripture reading for March 18th: Luke 3:1-22, Psalms 61:1-8, Proverbs 11:16-17
John the Baptist was a preacher who spoke plainly to prepare God’s people for the coming of the Lord. He knew that repentance was more than just a prayer or being immersed in water. There must be a change inside of the heart that was reflected in how one lived. He especially tried to reach those who were caught in the trap of religion.
“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”” (Luke 3:7-9) John called them a ‘brood of vipers’. Vipers were poisonous snakes that bit the children of Israel in the desert as they wandered there and complained. Poisonous snakes were associated with evil and the evil one, Satan.
John further warned them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance and not trust in the fact that Abraham was their father. The Jews had come to simply rely on the promises of God to Abraham and assumed because they had his blood in their veins, God would bless them. They asked John what they should do to bring this fruit of repentance out of their lives. They seemed clueless to this command.
John gave them some examples. If one had two coats, he should share with someone who had none. If one had food, they should share with one who had no food. If they happened to be a tax collector, notorious for taking lots of extra fees for themselves, they should only collect what was required. To those who were soldiers, John instructed them not to extort money or accuse people falsely to get more for themselves. They should be content with their pay. (Luke 3:10-14)
Real repentance is immediate change from breaking God’s laws to simple obedience. It is showing love, rather than selfish indulgence. It is centered on doing God’s will instead of my will. Examine your life–do you have the fruit of repentance?
Anna’s testimony!
Scripture reading for March 17th: Luke 2:36-52, Psalms 60:1-12, Proverbs 11:15
The Bible tells us that by the mouth of two witnesses shall every fact be established. Luke took the testimony of the devout Simeon as one witness in the temple as Jesus was dedicated. He also made note of a devout woman who was led to the temple to see the Christ.
“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38)
Women play a prominent part in Luke’s record of the story of Jesus Christ. God is no respecter of persons nor does he discriminate between men or women. God cares about all, and especially tender towards those who may be hurting, lonely, or rejected.
Anna was a widow for many years. There is no record of whether or not she had children in her seven years of marriage. From the record that we have here in Luke, it appears that she spent her lifetime following marriage in prayer and fasting. She was know as a prophetess who was faithful to the temple. She prayed there day and night in a place mainly known for the Levites and priests. Anna was of the tribe of Asher, not even a Levite woman! Anna was quick to recognize Jesus as the One who would redeem Jerusalem and told others prophetically about this Child! Luke gives record of her faithful testimony, adding to the story of Jesus Christ’s supernatural entrance into the realm of men.
The story of Anna should bring encouragement. God appreciates those who are faithful and cling to a relationship with Him. He reveals Himself and His will to these faithful believers. He gives them honor and allows them insight into His plans! “Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Simeon’s blessing!
Scripture reading for March 16th: Luke 2:1-35, Psalms 59:1-17, Proverbs 11:14
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting or the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had bee revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, you now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32)
Simeon was one of the faithful in Israel who walked by faith in God’s promises. Simeon had been looking for the promised Messiah and God had revealed to him that he would not see death before he beheld the desire of his heart. On that day that Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the temple to be dedicated and circumcised, God moved Simeon to go to the temple as well. When he laid eyes on the Child, Simeon immediately knew that this was the promised Messiah! His heart’s desire had been granted! He knew that this Child would bring salvation to not only Israel, but the Gentiles as well! God always confirms His word and plans by the prophets and He alone knows the end from the beginning!
Simeon spoke a blessing over the parents and gave a word from God to Mary. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Simeon’s word was a blessing and also a word of warning to Mary about the mission of her Son. His life and ministry would be controversial. Some would speak against Him, others would have their hearts opened and revealed. In the end, Mary’s heart would be pierced! What a simple word of insight on the ministry of Jesus! God alone could have revealed that! Simeon was faithful to his Lord!
His name is “John”!
Scripture reading for March 15th: Luke 1:57-80, Psalms 58:1-11, Proverbs 11:12-13
Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, had been struck dumb, unable to talk, since he was told by an angel that his old and barren wife would have a child. Zechariah had been offering incense and prayers in the Holy Place at the altar of incense when this visitation took place. (Luke 1:11-20) Now the baby had arrived and the time for dedication and naming was at hand. Evidently, family members were helping select a name and were considering naming him ‘Zechariah’ after his father. (Luke 1:59) The mother, Elizabeth, spoke up and stated that his name would be “John”.
The relatives made some signs to Zechariah to see what he wanted and he took a table and wrote emphatically, “His name is John”. He then could talk and began praising God, something that he hadn’t been able to do for the entire time of the pregnancy! This supernatural event caused quite a stir among the people of that region and they wondered about what was happening. (Luke 1:62-66)
Zechariah was then filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesy: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and has redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David (as He said through His holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us–to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, to enable us to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. And you, my child will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,. . .” (Luke 1:68-76)
At the birth of his son, Zechariah’s mouth was opened to prophesy and praise God. Through him, God foretold the coming of the Lord and John’s preparatory work of repentance. The long-awaited ‘Redeemer’ was at hand and John would prepare the way. God’s plans are worked out through simple men and women who by faith allow the Lord to use them. Are you available today to “prepare the way for the Lord” by sharing Christ’s love and Gospel?
Mary, the Lord’s servant!
Scripture reading for March 14th: Luke 1:26-56, Psalms 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11
Angels were busy when God was preparing to bring His Son into the world! Zechariah, had a visit from Gabriel and was told about the birth of his son, John. Zechariah questioned the angel about how this might be since he and his wife were old. Zechariah was unable to speak for the whole pregnancy because of his unbelief. Now Gabriel was sent again six months later to a young virgin named Mary. “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28) This greeting troubled Mary and she was afraid.
“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over He house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30-33) For a young girl who was engaged to be married, this announcement must have brought all kinds of questions. These promises concerning the child were amazing! “Jesus”--the Lord Saves–was to be His name. He would be great, taking the throne of David! His kingdom would never end! “How will this be?” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel Gabriel explained how she would be overshadowed with the power of the Most High and pregnant with the Son of God. Nothing would be impossible with God! Mary did not waver or hesitate at the angel’s explanation. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) Mary’s faith response is a beautiful example of how we should all respond to God’s will and direction.
Mary was blessed to carry in her body the Son of God and to nurse Him and raise him. There are no menial tasks in God’s economy! Whatever He has asked you to do is important to Him. Many wait for an angel to deliver instructions, but this is not God’s normal way of directing His people. His people hear His voice through His word and obey it. Are you responding to God’s directions through His word?
Preparing the way!
Scripture reading for March 13th: Luke 1:1-25, Psalm 56:1-13, Proverbs 11:8
Luke was a Greek doctor who became a follower of Jesus Christ. He wrote a detailed account of the life of Jesus that we now know as the Gospel of Luke. He followed this with Acts, a history of the early church from Pentecost through the spread of the Gospel to Rome by the Apostle Paul. Luke’s theme in his Gospel was: “Jesus the Son of Man”. (Luke 3:23-37) Luke knew mans physical needs from his life work. He wrote about the One who could heal not only bodies, but broken souls as well!
Luke begins his account with the supernatural announcement of a coming pregnancy and birth to a couple who had been barren but prayed for a child. Zechariah was a Levite who served in the temple and his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. They had served faithfully and were getting older. Zechariah was chosen by lot to offer incense before the Lord at the Altar of Incense in the temple. As he was performing this duty, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and spoke. “Do not be afraid, Zechariah: you prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Repentance prepares the way for Christ’s grace and rule! Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sin. At that time, the world was filled with broken families, dead religion, and disobedience to the Lord. The first step back to God was awakening the people’s hearts to their desperate need to turn back to God. There is the same need today. Jesus is coming soon! Are you ready to see Him?
Preach Good News to all!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Mark 16:1-20, Psalms 55:1-23, Proverbs 11:7
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, just as He said He would. Death could not hold Him and He showed Himself alive to the women, the disciples, and others. The eleven remaining disciples had a hard time believing the reports of those who had seen Him. “Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” (Mark 16:14) These men should have been expecting the resurrection because Jesus had repeatedly told them about the crucifixion and coming resurrection. To whom much is given, much is required. A rebuke is a sign of love to those who can be corrected by it. (Proverbs 13:1) (Revelation 3:19)
Jesus had final instructions for these disciples. They were not to sit around feeling sorry for themselves and thinking of the good old days when Jesus was with them. They must now go into all the world with the good news of Jesus Christ and preach to every creature. Some would believe and be baptized unto salvation and others would refuse the good news and be eternally condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
Those who believed had Jesus’ promise to confirm the good news with signs that would follow them and the preaching of the Gospel. They would drive out demonic forces as they spoke in His name. They would lay hands on the sick and see people healed in His name. If they were poisoned or ran into satanic opposition, God promised to protect them. Jesus would give them support.
Jesus was then taken up into heaven and seated at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19) Acts records that Jesus was taken up into heaven on a cloud and would return the same way as He left. (Acts 1:9-11) Jesus had told the high priest and elders that they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Might One and coming on clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62) From that position of power and authority, Jesus prays for us and watches over us as we preach the Gospel to every creature. This is His plan to reach the entire world! When this command is fulfilled, Jesus will come again on the clouds for His Bride, the church! What exciting days we live in!