Forsaking All and Following Jesus - Luke 5:11

The beloved physician Luke shared how, “it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth you shall catch men”, and in chapter five and verse eleven of his book Luke shares how the fishermen, “forsook all, and followed him” where we read

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

The verse reads, “And when they had brought their ships to land, ...” Luke began with the words, “And when” or “and at the time and moment”, “they had brought their ships” which means “Simon, James and John lead down and moored their sailing vessels or boats” “to land” or “to the shore of lake Gennesaret”. Luke shared how “Simon, James and John” as well as the other fishermen with them “lead” their boats to the shore and did the following.

The verse continues, “... they forsook all, and followed him.” Luke added the words, “they forsook all” which means “Simon, James and John left, gave up and kept no longer each, every, the whole and everything”, “and followed him” or “and accompanied Jesus”. Luke shared how “Simon, James and John” “left everything” and began to “accompany” Jesus.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how greatly this miracle affected “Simon, James and John”. More than likely Simon Peter's brother Andrew was also with them, and these four men began to “follow” Jesus. Jesus told Peter from that point on he would “catch” men, and Simon Peter's function and purpose would be to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people. God loves people, and when He calls them, they become willing to subjugate all other things to Him. Though He does not call every person away from their “occupation” like He did these soon to be disciples, He does call people into His service and Kingdom. Those who are wise will hear the call of the Lord Jesus and “follow” Him wherever He leads.

Next time Luke shares about, “a man full of leprosy”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".