RPG Adults
JESUS THE TRUE LIGHT
FRIDAY, MAY 2
Matthew 4:13-22, Luke 5:1-11
Isaiah 9:1-2
“The people which sat
in darkness saw great light…”
JESUS THE TRUE LIGHT
“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matt 4:16). Jesus is that Great Light. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. …(He) was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:4‑5, 9). Jesus was going to shine forth His Light and His Truth in this small fishing village of Capernaum. We are going to see Him calling fishermen to become His personal disciples.
The first two disciples to receive an official call from the Lord were Peter and his brother, Andrew. Both Peter and Andrew were fishermen. They were done fishing for the day, and were already cleaning their nets. Jesus told them to go back into the water, and to release their nets for a catch. Now Jesus was a carpenter and not a fisherman. Peter, on the other hand, was an expert fisherman. He had already spent all night fishing and caught nothing. Moreover, Peter and Andrew by then must have already been very tired. They had just finished washing their nets. The temptation to dismiss Jesus’ words must have been very real. But Peter humbled himself before the Lord: “…Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).
Peter took Jesus at His Word. And because he trusted in the Lord and obeyed Him, He received God’s blessing. They netted the greatest catch of their lives. The catch was so great that their nets were tearing. They had to get help from their friends in the other boat. When both boats were filled, they began to sink. It was a terrific haul. This caused Peter to fall on his knees to worship Jesus saying, “…Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). It is when we demote ourselves before God that we get promoted. Jesus promoted Peter and Andrew. No longer would they fish for fish but for men. Jesus commanded them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In obedience, they forsook all and followed Him.
THOUGHT: Is Jesus calling me to full-time service?
PRAYER: “Here am I; send me.”