And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.
Luke 5:3
It was a little thing Jesus invited Simon to do, “Put out a little from the land.” He wanted to teach the large crowd that had gathered around him to hear the word of God. Little did Simon realize what that one little invitation would lead to in his life.
Because he listened to Jesus and honored his little invitation, Simon soon found himself honoring another invitation that was a bit more challenging, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon was a fisherman and he knew the sea and the best times to fish but because Jesus asked him to do it he did so and was amazed by the extraordinary catch that should not have been. Simon’s response was to fall at Jesus’ feet and acknowledge his sinful nature. He didn’t feel worthy to be in Jesus’ presence. Jesus’ response was one more invitation bigger than any other thus far, “From now on you will be catching men.” Peter along with his brother, Andrew, and partners, James and John, left everything at the invitation of Jesus to follow him.
It all began with one small invitation from Jesus that when answered positively lead to a larger one which when responded to positively lead to a life changing invitation. Three years later Jesus would ask those same followers along with many more to respond positively to one more invitation, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
It’s amazing what God can do through us when we respond positively to his invitations in our lives. During this season of Lent what is God inviting you to do that may make a difference in your life or those around you? It may seem small but the difference God can make through even the smallest invitation can be life changing.
Rev. Glenn Lucas
CUI Parent
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church