No 14

(By Human Means)

“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Luke 5:4

We learn from these words the need of human means for the Lord’s work. This miraculously large amount of fish was caught by the fishermen, in their boat and using their nets. Jesus could’ve commanded the fish to pile up on shore and it would’ve happened; He created the whole universe, surely a few fish could not stop Him from showing His power. But Jesus wanted these fishermen to participate in this miracle and experience His power first hand; the same thing applies to the work of evangelism here on earth. Jesus could just say who is to be saved and, immediately they would be in heaven for eternity but no, He chooses to use human beings to proclaim the Gospel of grace. Our abilities in speaking the words of salvation are also meaningless. “Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing.” Why was this? Were they not experienced fishermen? Did they lack skill? Did they not have the proper equipment? Was there a deficiency of fish in the water? Certainly not to all these questions because at the command of the master, the fish swam to the fishermen’s net in great numbers. Why did Jesus use this lesson to demonstrate His power? The answer lies in the following text of scripture “for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5b. When we speak to others of Jesus Christ and what He did for humanity on the cross, He is glorified; He gave us His Spirit for that very reason “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. Forgive me for repeating myself (last week) but we cannot afford to let one day go by without speaking to others about the Gospel; for those who can’t get out and do that work, they are called to “pray without ceasing” 1 Thess 5:17.