December 10, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 10 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.1 through 3.4 (pages 32-34)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
The faith demonstrated here to just get up and follow Jesus. To put your nets back into water that you have caught nothing in for hours and hours. To believe Jesus’ words to be true and to follow Him without hesitation because you know His way is right!
The disciples knew this and as He traveled healing and casting out demons others began to learn this as well and even if He was not the Savior they expected He was their Savior.
Day 10
3.1 – 3.4
I love Simon Peter’s reaction to the abundant catch of fish at Jesus’ direction to let down their nets once again. He bows and says, “Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man!” Peter’s eyes are opened to see that he is ‘on holy ground’, he is with God’s anointed, the promised one, the Lord. He recognizes (if only for a moment) that sin cannot be in the presence of a holy God. He recognizes his unworthiness to be in God’s presence. Yet, how amazing it is that He was there! That God had a plan to reconcile a sinful people to Him. Oh the Love of God- That today we can say God is with us!
Always amazed how these first apostles dropped their way of living and began to follow another lifestyle. That is great faith. Wonder what I woild have done. Don’t put your hands to the plow and look back. Many times I’ve been fishing and prayed for God to fill my nets. Doesn’t work like that. But to witness to those I was fishing with. Now that is the best reward. Peter knew that Jesus had done many miracles. But when Jesus took a personal interest in his life. He felt so inadequate to be blessed. The lord takes a personal interest in all of us daily. We are unworthy but that never changes our position with our Lord. How much time did Jesus spend in prayer.?? If he did. We should certainly be praying how our Lord wants to look beyond our feeling and circumstances and to do his work on earth. We just have to ask! Perfect example. Last night we bathed our Christmas cabaret in prayer and the Holy Spirit joined us and it was an incredible night. I could only think of people we invited and they had other plans. There’s no place even close that can fill our souls on earth then a place blessed by God. What an awesome night!!
Advent 2.13-3.8
Advent 3.9-3.12
This is not the first time these men have interacted with Jesus, but here He makes it official to ask them to follow Him. Based in what He had said and did, the choice became obvious. And Peter can understand why he would want Jesus, but does not understand why Jesus would want him. It reminds me of Isaiah’s response to God….I am undone…and yet the coal cleanses and here Jesus accepts. Where would be without the grace and mercy of God! And as these men have committed to be with Him, Jesus knocks it out of the park, showing power over several situations that overwhelm people. Healing bodily things is one thing, showing power over evil spirits is a whole other category. And yet Jesus handles it all with ease..further revealing who He is and affirming the apostles have made a good choice. It is interesting that Jesus commands the evil spirits not to say who He is..because they know. Jesus didn’t want to be associated with them or certainly not dependent on evil spirits for PR. Character and kingdom matter and Jesus wants a right thing done in a right way by the right entities.
And it always impresses me when Jesus dedicates time to pray…even getting up early…going out in the dark to a secluded place. I wonder how many of those were strategy sessions, or God affirming Jesus in His work, or Jesus asking God for wisdom, power and direction or quite possibly all three. I would have loved to be fly on the wall for that…
I reflected on the meaning of this verse this morning: They left everything and followed Jesus.
Thinking about how much Jesus influenced the fishermen and how much Jesus influences me.