What Do You Have?

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

Here we see Jesus standing by the seashore. Now it was not just any seashore, but rather Lake Gennesaret. This name is somewhat important as we soon will find. Nor was he alone and by himself as some would like to think. Maybe you might have heard how the religious leaders of the day hated him for he spoke of them. More than that he pointed out their sin and showed the world of him. Here the crowds have gathered round the Lord seeking for the only thing they wanted, which was just his Word.

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

Before we talked about a certain name and what it meant. See, whether you believe it or not, names mean more than merely scratches on a page. In their meaning lies their power. Its’ name was similar in form and nature to the Gadarenes, a place where hopes and dreams had come to die. Here the fisherman were gathered and their ships alone. Indeed, it seemed there was little else to do but clean the nets, what one often did before picking up to start again. Perhaps you may have seen fish before or even nets. But I guarantee you it has never been like this.

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.

So it seems there was little else to do but hear the Word of the Lord. Of course, he asks to borrow one of their boats so the people could see and hear him better. Now I don’t know about you, but when the Lord asks to borrow your boat, good things happen. Perhaps you don’t feel like it right now. Perhaps all you have ever known is suffering and loss. But see, the God of our sorrows and all our tomorrows has come. He has asked to borrow the one thing we have, not to destroy it, but that his work be done. How prone some of us are to not understand.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Will Jesus do as some do and merely take and take and take? Perhaps the God who gave his life has something left to give. For what it’s worth, it might not be much. He only offers himself to all who freely seek. Yet as the God who made all things, now has power over creation, here in the garden where men’s hopes and dreams have come to lie. Yet here we see his favor given for a loan. You can almost say that what has been lent unto the Lord is never yet in vain.

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Here we see faith among the rest. The Word of God comes with some great to little faith attached. For at it, he who formed the worlds was made. God almighty, just a helpless babe. Yet still he changed the world with such a little cry. Here Jesus, fully grown, promised them his Word. At his Word, he gave to all who truly seek. So Simon fully trusts him and has only to believe. To the other side of the boat, he lets down his net. Once more, his hopes and dreams fully become to live. When at last he pulls it up, he finds it swarming, teeming full of fish. God above, wrap our hopes and dreams in love. Fulfill them by your mighty hand, when at last you bring out all things planned.