Luke 5
Scripture
Luke 5:5
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Observation - What does it say?
Simon (AKA Peter), had fished all night with his crew and they hadn’t caught a thing. Lots of effort expended, time and resources spent, and nothing to show for it. You can imagine the discouragement and frustration; the longing to just go home, take a shower, collapse in bed and attempt to forget it all. But instead, Jesus delays Peter by getting into his boat and asking him to push out from shore. And Jesus, from the boat, taught the crowd that had gathered. When Jesus was finished, I imagine Peter excited to finally go home, but instead, Jesus asks something else of Peter: "Put back into deep water and let down the nets for a catch."
Peter hears “for a catch,” and I imagine him rolling his eyes. Peter expresses his frustration, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” In other words, “There’s no fish out there, trust me! It’s a waste of time! I just want to go home!”
But after venting, Peter obeys and it led to such a massive catch that their nets began to break and it put 2 fishing boats beyond their capacity! Wow.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Venting is ok, as long as you obey.
You can’t call Jesus “Master” and then choose to do what you prefer. Do you want to be Jesus' servant? ...Then don't get mad when he treats you like one.
It’s ok to disagree with God, to be honest about how you think his plan won’t work. But if you will obey anyway, there’s no telling to the miracle you'll see.
Consider Samuel being asked by God to pass up well built and qualified young men to anoint the runt of the family, David, to be king. Consider God commanding the priests to carry the ark of the covenant into the raging waters of the Jordan River while it was at flood stage. Consider God asking Peter to step into the home of the Gentile Cornelius. Consider our Savior Jesus being asked by his Father to go to the cross. None of those things could seem remotely logical or appealing to the one facing the command.
Scripture and history is filled with stories of people being asked by God to do something that didn’t make sense, that they didn’t want to do. But every time they obeyed, something amazing happened! God showed up and giants were killed, seas were parted, sick people were healed and countless people were saved from Hell, all because people like you and me chose to obey when it didn’t make sense or we didn't 'feel like it.'
Life Application
Consider, “In what situation do I need to make the transition from venting to obeying?”
The outcome isn't up to me, it's up to you, God. My role is to obey. Please forgive me for when I camp out in the venting stage and never progress to obedience. I want to be a man after your own heart, like David, who will do everything you want me to do. Amen.
- Levi Thompson
Luke 4
Scripture
Luke 4:13
“When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus was just baptized, anointed by The Holy Spirit, and was led into the wilderness for 40 days. It was there the devil tried to tempt Jesus multiple times, only to fail miserably. Every time the devil tried to tempt Jesus, he would try to bend and twist the words of scripture in order to try to trick Jesus into falling into temptation. But Jesus knew the Word of God and could not be fooled. Jesus used scripture to fight off the devil’s tricks. Eventually the devil grew weary of trying to trick Jesus, and left him, only to wait until another opportunity may arise.
Understanding-What does it mean?
There is great importance in studying, knowing, and memorizing God’s Word.
Has temptation ever come your way? How many of us fell into that temptation? I know I can answer yes to both. But in this passage, Jesus shows us how we can fight off temptation when it comes our way. How? By knowing and memorizing the Word of God. You may say, “it’s too hard!”, or “I have a bad memory.” But how many of us could remember quotes from a movie or lines from our favorite songs, or even sports scores and stats from our favorite players? I know I can. It all boils down to wanting to remember things that are important to us. So how important is God’s Word to us? Knowing what I do now, means that it can be used to help us get out of life’s jams. It can bring us strength when we are weak. It can give us guidance when we are lost. That is why it should be that much more important for us to get into the Word, study the Word, and memorize the Word.
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”-Joshua 1:8
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”-Psalms 119:11
Life Application
Whenever temptation comes your way…
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” -1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse is a very helpful verse to remember and memorize for any Christ Follower. Just remember how Jesus was able to overcome the devil’s temptations. He laid out the blueprint to defeat the enemy. Remember, we may not be able to do it on our own. But we can overcome any temptation the devil throws at us through the power of The Holy Spirit, surrounding yourself with Godly people, and a strong commitment to study, know, and memorize His Word.
-Moses Gaddi
Luke 3
Scripture
Luke 3:8-9
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Observation-What does it say?
While he only wrote two books in the new testament, the gospel of Luke and Acts, Luke is attributed with the highest volume of work in the new testament. In Luke 1:3-4 he expresses his intent for the book, “I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Theophilus was most likely a high-ranking Roman official and the patron who would cover the cost of publishing for Luke. The book of Acts is also addressed to the same recipient.
In chapter three, Luke gives an account of John the baptist. John, Jesus’ cousin, addresses his audience, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah and preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. He calls for people to not only repent, but to live in such a way as to make their repentance known. Verses 10-14 explain what is meant when John said to produce the fruit of repentance, “John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”” Through John’s words, we are given the impression that our faith needs to take a path of action, not just in word. We are not saved through our heritage, or by going to church, but through faith, which should be evidenced by practical acts of love. This is also expressed in James 2:15-18.
Understanding-What does it mean?
With three boys that are ten years old and under, our house is a constant mess. I could clean the whole house and turn around to start all over again. Our youngest is a complete tornado. He just drops things wherever he sees fit. I don’t think I have ever found his shoes in one spot. Most often, I will find one in the kitchen and the other in the upstairs hallway. I don’t even understand how they come off his feet at such a large interval. It would be a dream come true if the three of them would just do something so simple as to put their things away in the place where they go.
When it comes to cleaning, the conversation usually goes like this, I tell them to pick up and they say, “Okay,” with a cheery disposition. It’s as if they understand and are going to obey. But, almost without fail I find myself walking around the house, with my arms full of things, as I am screaming that I don't appreciate cleaning up after everyone. Their obedience would be much more appreciated in action rather than lip-service. Similarly, the Bible tells us to act out our faith in simple actions, sharing our food and clothes, giving help to those in need, and caring for widows and orphans. While we often worry about finding “God’s will” for our lives, the Bible makes it clear we can live out his will through our acts of love.
Life Application
Jesus help me to find ways to make my fruit fruit of repentance. Help me to live out love in practical ways and seek to help those in need.
-Tyler Galloway