In a previous blog I mentioned that many people are stubborn to receiving the truth of God’s Word. Then I made this comment – “Some people are just not willing to give up their empty boats in favor of casting their nets on the “right” side. That’s the grace and rest side.” In otherwords, they are more dedicated to their denomination, tradition, and religious legalism, than they are the Truth of God's Word.
Well, that just stuck in my Spirit and I went to Luke Chapter 5 to read about the story. Here it is in the KJV. I’ll include it all and then share with you the deeper truths/revelation God showed me in this story.
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
So, beginning at the beginning of this chapter. Here’s how verse 1 read. 1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Here we see that Jesus was preaching on the shore of Galilee, and wonder upon wonders, look what happened. The crowds pressed in on Him to listen to the Word of God. What?? As I read this I said to God, “wouldn’t it be wonderful if people today would listen and receive your Word”? God said “well, many do, but it’s their choice to receive it or not”. Basically, what happened here is the crowd pressed in on Him to hear Him, because He/Jesus is the Word of God.
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. I like the way the NLT records this verse. Here it is. “He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.”
Their boats were empty. Two empty boats. Then it hit me. I can’t prove this by scripture, but it set well with me that those two empty boats were the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. So I wondered with that in mind (I didn’t put that in my mind) why it seems that’s the case today.
The Word of God is empty to people. Oh, they believe it, but they don’t receive it. They can’t receive that the truth that they have been made righteous and holy is for them. Not them. They don’t deserve it. Newsflash….I know you don’t deserve it, that’s why it’s called GRACE. Get over your bad self and receive all that God has for you.
Then there’s the emptiness of the Holy Spirit. The tendency is to leave him out of our daily lives, and certainly out of church services. I mean, how dare Him try to insert Himself in between the second song on the program and the reading of the Epistle. We’ve got a schedule to keep so we can get out of here and get home to the chicken or roast that’s in the oven. After all, the big game starts at noon, so one hour here is enough.
How ridiculous is that when He’s the only person of the Godhead here on earth. The reason we don’t see the miracles and healings today like the Apostles did in the first church is because we put more faith in the bible they didn’t have than we do in the Holy Spirit that they did have. Let me just say it this way. We need to set our missellettes, programs, and/or bulletins aside and understand that the service consists of meeting the greeter at the door, until the Holy Spirit changes it. If He does, then it consists of praise and worship, until the Holy Spirit changes it. If He does, then it consists of receiving offerings from the people until the Holy Spirit changes it. If He does…..Well, you get the picture. No program. No schedule, Just Jesus.
Continuing on with this verse 2 we see that the fisherman walked away from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit and were washing their nets. If you know anything about fishing, when you’re done, you wash your nets. So their action of washing their nets was an indication that they were finished, done, shutting down. Do you know someone who has walked away and just given up?
Now that's just the beginning of this study of Luke 5, but I'll stop here and pick back up with verse 3 in my next blog on this subject. Grace and Peace.
