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CALLED TO BE DISCIPLED Luke 5: 1-11 Simon is called by Jesus to be discipled. Read Luke 5:1-11. God is so merciful to give us an order in the way to be discipled. In Hebrew, "Simon" means to hear with obedience, and then respond by telling. Jesus desired for Simon to “push away from the land”; to step back and detach from the world, THEN, to sit and appoint Jesus as his teacher; to learn from Him, and THEN respond with obedience. Jesus desires this today for all people. Jesus THEN personally came to Simon and asked him to “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.” Now Simon had toiled all the night and caught nothing. He had to be exhausted. How do we respond to the desires of Jesus? Is it with fear and frustration? Is it with disappointment and anger? Is it with an attitude and a predetermined mindset? Our reaction will be according to what is in our hearts. Simon did not say "no" to Jesus; he did not say "later", nor did he intellectualize. Simon did say “at Thy word I will let down the net.” He became void and empty of his own ideas, imaginations, and philosophies, and made room—deep room—for Jesus. What obedience! What humility! Do you know what happened next? THEN “They received a multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” The magnitude of the catch grows to overflowing. The heart of Jesus grows to overflowing in the hearts of men, and Simon knew it. Simon now knows he has no credibility of his own and admits his need of Christ Jesus, who has the authority over this world. He sees Jesus as He is. Simon Peter does not recognize Jesus as a casual acquaintance. He does not examine Jesus to criticize His way, nor does he follow Jesus in a legalistic manner. He does not view Jesus from a distance. Simon Peter does know how remarkable the Lord Jesus is, and responds by falling humbly before Jesus in prayer, realizing his error of not being in union with Christ, and, acknowledging his need to be devoted to Jesus. Simon Peter made room for Christ. Now, how can we be in union with Jesus? Let down our nets: let go of anything that is not of Jesus; cast into the deep, becoming void of our own understanding; appoint Jesus as our Master and learn of Him…His will for us. Embrace Jesus and agree to be in subjection to Him. Receive His fullness to the point of overflowing. A change will occur. Fear and anxiety will be gone. A reverence and awe of the magnitude of the Lord will be revealed. Simon was called to forsake all and follow Jesus. He let go. He let alone. He let be all things, all people, and all imaginations. All things, all people, and all imaginations are THEN seen in the same way that Jesus sees—in love—His perfect love. Let’s cast out and make room to be discipled by Jesus alone. ~ Cheryl Helgert
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