Theme: Finishing well

Reading: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Chooses Some Followers

5 As Jesus stood beside Lake Galilee,^[a] a crowd of people pushed to get closer to him and to hear the teachings of God. ² Jesus saw two boats at the shore of the lake. The fishermen were washing their nets. ³ Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Simon. He asked Simon to push off a little from the shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people on the shore.

⁴ When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Take the boat into the deep water. If all of you will put your nets into the water, you will catch some fish.”

⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish and caught nothing. But you say I should put the nets into the water, so I will.” ⁶ The fishermen put their nets into the water. Their nets were filled with so many fish that they began to break. ⁷ They called to their friends in the other boat to come and help them. The friends came, and both boats were filled so full of fish that they were almost sinking.

^8-9 The fishermen were all amazed at the many fish they caught. When Simon Peter saw this, he bowed down before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!” ¹⁰ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were amazed too. (James and John worked together with Simon.)

Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on your work will be to bring in people, not fish!”

¹¹ The men brought their boats to the shore. They left everything and followed Jesus.

 

Prayer for the week:

Dear God,

• (thumb) As I bring my thumbs down, I ask that you help me, Lord, to fully rely on and trust in you as I prepare to step forward into new challenges
• (forefinger) Please guide me and my loved ones on the correct path and lead us, as our pointy finger does
• (middle finger) You are central to our lives and we pray that you will remain at the core of all our actions, giving us courage to accept new challenges
• (ring finger) The love you show us is unconditional, help me to show love and compassion to the new people I encounter on my journey
• (little finger) We thank you God that as we step out, we embrace changes and move forward with courage, and the belief that you are guiding us always

In Jesus’ name, Amen

 

Song for the week: Send Us On