HE SEES, HE KNOWS, HE CARES: THE GOSPEL of LUKESample

Read: Luke 4:31—5:11

SOAP: Luke 5:8–11

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For Peter and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s business partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people!” So when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Into the Text

Jesus did many miracles after He left Nazareth. He exorcized demons, healed those who were sick, and displayed His power and control over nature. He demonstrated His wisdom and authority, and many gathered to hear His teaching. Jesus continued to manifest His deity and teach about the kingdom of God, and many believed in Him and followed Him.

A unique aspect of Luke’s Gospel is the way he focused on specific people and showed their path to faith. In doing this, we as readers can grasp how God works in both public displays of power and personal acts of kindness to capture the hearts of His people.

Take Simon Peter, for example. When Simon is first mentioned in Luke’s Gospel, we learn that his mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. We don’t know how many people witnessed Jesus heal her, but considering the typical size of a house in first-century Israel, it likely wasn’t many. Jesus cared for Simon and his family, and He showed compassion and kindness to them when they needed it.

Later, Jesus got into Simon’s boat to teach a large crowd of people. Afterward, Simon and his partners caught an enormous load of fish after catching nothing the night before.

Seeing what Jesus had done for him, Simon recognized Jesus' true identity. He knew Jesus was the Son of God, and he acknowledged that he was a sinner. Jesus comforted him at that moment and gave him a new purpose, and Simon left everything to follow Jesus.

Whether it takes an incredible, public display of God’s power or His intimate, personal touch in your moment of need, God knows how to get through to you. He will do whatever it takes to reach you. He has not stopped working, not stopped intervening on your behalf. Despite all of your pride and sin, Jesus says He is knocking on the door of your heart, waiting for you to open up to Him. He wants you to trust Him, to see, know, and believe that He is the Son of God and that He cares deeply for you.