When Jesus Steps Into Your Life Series

When Peter met Jesus...

(Introduction: This passage is probably the first time Peter meets Jesus. The section in Luke 4:38-44 seems to be out of chronological order. Matthew and Mark arrange the order differently. It is my conclusion that this passage corresponds to Mark 1:16-20 and Matthew 4:18-22 which occur before Jesus went to Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law).

Luke 5:1 Luke 5:1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,

Here the Bible says that people were crowding around Jesus listening to the Word of God. And the crowds who come to hear God’s word are still growing all over the world. I wonder how many hundreds and thousands and even millions of people have gathered today to worship and hear the Word of God? Jesus’ popularity has continued to grow throughout the years. There is an attractive power about him that draws people to him. Would you like to see more people gathering to hear God’s word at this church? Let’s consider a few questions. Why don’t more people come out here God’s word here with us? Maybe they don’t think God is speaking through us today. Maybe they haven’t seen God working in our lives enough to believe he would have much to say through us. Maybe they haven’t been invited to come hear God’s word. When we invite people to come to church what should we invite them to hear? Do you ask them to come hear preacher so-and-so? No! We need to invite people to come hear God’s Word.

What draws a crowd today?

People crowd into a stadium to see a championship game or hear a band. People crowd into a theater to watch a new movie. People crowd around a politician to hear a speech. All of these things come and go, but the Word of God continues to draw people.

I praise God when I see people who are hungry for the Word of God. May we never be a people who are satisfied with worldly messages that do not challenge us to grow in Christ. It’s great to be a part of the church blessed with an open heart wanting to receive the Word of God. With the Bible so available to us today, let us take full advantage of the opportunity to be filled with the eternal Word of God.

Luke 5:2-3 Luke 5:2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Picture this scene: Jesus walks over to a boat, and asks the owner to push it out of away from the shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people. This is Simon’s boat. Jesus gave Simon the nickname, “Peter.” We don’t know if Simon knew much about Jesus at this point or not, but he is about to learn some great things! Before we look at what he learned, let’s notice something in these details. Jesus used Peter’s boat to teach people about God… Jesus can use things in our lives in the same way. What are some things in your life that Jesus can use to teach others from? What is your boat? Will you let the Lord sit in it and teach others from it?

Peter could have asked Jesus to please get out. Peter may have been embarrassed or said he was too busy or too insecure. He could have said, “That’s my boat that I use to fish with. It’s not a pulpit. I believe in separation of church and fishing boats.” But no, Peter willingly allowed the Lord to use his humble fishing boat to spread the good news of God’s kingdom. In another sense you and I are like this boat. When the Lord comes into our lives and into our hearts, we allow him to teach others his word from us. You are not going to be able to let Jesus do this unless you spend time learning the Word of God for yourself. Over and over in scripture, Christians are commissioned, commanded, and exemplified as telling others God’s Word. Are you and I willing to obey that part of God’s will for our lives? Peter later wrote in his letter to the churches, “But set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts, always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you concerning the hope within you.” And it was Peter who also said, “If any man speaks let him speak as the oracles of God.” God’s Word in, God’s Word out!