Letting Christ Drive

It has been said that one should not let satan ride, because he will insist on driving. Yet, what happens when one lets Christ command the wheel. Let us look at Luke 5:17 (KJV).

[Luk 5:1-11 KJV] 1 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, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing [their] nets. 3 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. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 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. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 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. 8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 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 thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

In the first verse, we see that Christ is pressed upon by a throng of followers. And, He is at the Sea of Galilee or the lake of Gennesaret. This region called the Paradise of Galilee is known for its "beauty and fertility". And, the events which unfold in this passage of scripture show the Lord's Beauty and the fertility that one experiences in life after a season of obedience. For, it is better than sacrifice.

[1Sa 15:22 KJV] 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

The second verse brings about a comparison, in that, it presents a pair of ships. The fishermen who owned the ships had ended their pursuit of that day's harvest, since they had been highly unsuccessful. They had exited their vehicles of vocation and were preparing their means of production for another day. However, Christ arrived. And, this singular fact made all the difference.

In the third verse, the Savior chose Simon Peter's vehicle and entered it. He commanded that Simon set out a little from shore. This was the first act of obedience. Notice that Simon had not met Jesus before. This was the type of faith shown in Christ that one shows when he attends his first religious service. One simply accepts His Instruction and obeys on faith; he simply trust and believes.

And, then the Messiah took a seat and taught the masses. This is Simon's first act of long-suffering. He had completed a long days work in the Middle Eastern sun, likely was hungry and thirsty, plus desired the peace and quiet of his home. However, this "unknown" Teacher, who asked that he bear with His request and that he tarry with Him a while, approached him. And, in that, a lesson might last for a while and the Savior had a captive audience, Simon Peter faithfully permitted Christ's use and control of his vehicle of vocation, without murmur or complaint.

In the fourth verse, the Messiah gave Simon Peter another imperative. And, he showed some reluctance, whether it was doubt mingled with fatigue or his long-suffering was wearing thin, this fisherman asserted that he most likely would not draw in any fish, since he had been unsuccessful during the entire day. But, he said, "nevertheless at Thy Word" and obeyed. Simon Peter complied although his "natural" reasoning capacity said that "success" was not possible.

[1Co 2:14 KJV] 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

In the natural, satisfying this request seemed that it would be a futile and unproductive venture. "Nevertheless", Simon was faithful in his actions.

The sixth and seventh verse show the consequences of this faithfulness. On that day, this future apostle brought in a bumper crop of spiritual and material abundance. In fact, Simon Peter's material blessing was so great that it could be shared with those who helped reel it in.

But consider, his response when astonished by the large harvest of fish. This encounter with the Lord left him frightened.Simon knew that he had met a "special" Teacher with great power. Peter had seen a miracle.

[Luk 5:8 KJV] 8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Ever get a miraculous blessing that you feel is truly unmerited? Afraid that the Lord will seek out and search our innermost sins. Afraid of the consequences.

[2Ti 1:7 KJV] 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The primary lessons in this passage: obey the Lord and be long-suffering:

 [Psa 27:14 KJV] 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

The secondary lessons: let the Lord command your vehicle of vocation, use it as a platform for His Purposes and His Word, and let Him control the action of your means or production. This will produce:

[Luk 6:38 KJV] 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Peter gave of his time, vehicle of vocation, and means of production. This was a "tithe" of faithfulness:

[Mal 3:10 KJV] 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].