The Famous Luke 5

Now, we all know the famous story of Luke 5, where Simon, James and John were called to become Jesus' first disciples in this book. What made them "eligible" to follow Jesus? Take into account, that Jesus was rejected in his very own hometown and got thrown out of the city. Then he travelled to Capernaum, which was about 20 miles (ie 32.18680 km ) So if you have completed the 32 km route march in SISPEC, or Exercise Long Walk during the Recce Course, you would have walked the distance Jesus walked before making his first disciples. And you jolly well know that 32 km is no mean feat, some even fall out of the march, so Jesus must've been quite a fit man. In the olden days, there was no map, no compass, so he'd definitely take a couple of days on a camel to reach Capernaum. So what qualifies one to be a disciple of Christ?

1. Jesus picked those who were willing and available. Luke 5:1-3

1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

By the time he arrived at Capernaum, Jesus would've been quite tired, so he need a place to rest and he found boats by the river so he could rest and at the same time cater to the large crowd. And of course, Jesus wasnt a man without manners, who would just enter anyone's boat without permission right? Afterall, boats represented a fisherman's livelihood, his precious. Without it he couldnt make a living. So, for Simon to lend out his precious, Jesus obviously had built a relationship strong enough for Simon to willingly lend it to him.

2. Jesus picked those who were obedient. Luke 5: 4-5

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Now it is impossible to know someone for a day, and call him Master the next. Simon and his fishermen khakis obviously must've heard of the miracles happening, and the Sea of Galilee was so near the city of Capernaum. How could it be possible that they did not know who Jesus was? In any case, with their obedience to his command, unknowingly Jesus brought them from a place of limitation (shallow end) to a place of no limitation (deep end)! Simon probably thought Jesus was going to take him to the place where he USUALLY fished, but to his surprise, Jesus brought him FURTHER, where the rewards were unlimited! For those who rear fish, the size of the fish depends on the size of the tank. Especially for koi fish. So in the deep end of the sea, there were unlimited possibilities of what they could catch, and their boat was unable to contain the harvest because the boat itself was incapable of the overhaul! Note here, Jesus went out with one boat, and came back with 2 boats.

3. Jesus picked those who were humble. Luke 5: 6-8

6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, 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!”

The fishermen recognised that a miracle actually happened in their lifes and how tremendously blessed they were. Was it the limitation in their mindsets? Perhaps because of that, they were discouraged by the constant repetition of negative results, so much so that they turned their backs of God. And thus, they felt they sinned.

Friends, lets remind ourselves how we became disciples in the first place. Firstly, we willingly availed ourselves to serve. Secondly, we were obedient to the authority over our lives. Lastly, we humbled ourselves in our character. Let's also recognise the impact that spiritual encounters can have over our lives. 1. We can be more spiritually sensitive. 2. Our mindsets are renewed to think endless possibilities. 3. We clear the pathway for the purpose of God to be revealed in our lives. (Simon and his khakis eventually became fishers of men.)

I personally have experienced how hard it is to launch into the deep. I went crabbing (catching crabs) recently with some of my cell group members, and I really enjoyed myself that day, soaking myself in the hot blazing sun. It is no mean feat. Though they said it was the crabbing season, it was high tide and we were up to knee level. Furthermore, the crabs have to be larger than the coke can size. Mind you, the coke cans here in Perth are BIGGER.

And mind you, my "boat" was quite cui because my members didnt tell me to bring WET shoes for the occasion, so I was barefooted. ugh. and the crabs are so small and fast that you cant even see them. And they can hide in thick mosses too. The best part is that I havent talked about the pincers yet. but anyway, it wasnt till I launched out into the deep where I found them. Bibilical principles are still relevant till today!

This was how far we were from the shore.

Thats me at the side poking the ground incase they hide underneath the sand. So much for breaking up the fallow ground eh?

Extreme left: My member, Joakim finally catches a teeny weeny crab, but more to come. Another member, Michelle freaks out when the crab brushes against her feet.

And finally, we rejoice after catching the first crab..

So guys, Jesus travelled 20miles for his first disciples to turn the world upside down. I travelled so far into the ocean to catch the first crab.

Why not you step out of your comfort and do some world shakin' and history makin' ?