Deeper water and new wine

Jesus calls his disciples to deeper water, different people and new wine. The greatest efforts of men are no match for the supernatural power of God. Peter complained that they had tried all night, but at Jesus’ bidding he would lower the nets once again, but this time into deeper water (Luk 5:4-5). Jesus is calling us to something different than the established, institutional way of doing things. He would have us among people with whom the church is uncomfortable (Luk 5:31-32). He wants us to try something new, rather than sticking with what is familiar and comfortable (Luk 5:37-39). Lord of the catch, show me where to cast my net.

Still following by faith

I’ve been a Christian for 32 years, but I find that I need the ministry of Jesus as much as I ever did. I am a poor man in need of good news. I am a captive who needs to be released. I am a blind man in need of sight. (Luk 4:18-19) One would think that at some point following Jesus would get easier but it doesn’t. He constantly bids us to leave our nets, follow him, and fish for men (Mar 1:17). Faith is a muscle that atrophies with disuse. Jesus is constantly bidding us to exercise faith and continue to follow him into unknown territory.

Carry the wind

Sometimes we attempt to package the gospel into a neat little message or three easy steps. We can’t control the gospel anymore than we can catch the wind. Jesus said that the Spirit is like the wind. We don’t understand Him, we just feel Him. We see the results of His work, but we can’t control Him. (Joh 3:8). How then do we carry the wind to those who desperately need Him? We, the windblown, relate to people. We love them. We serve them. We talk to them like Jesus did. We are witnesses to the affects of the wind in our lives. The Spirit may or may not blow on their lives. The wind blows where it wishes, not where we wish.

Where the Spirit leads

It was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted (Mar 1:12). Sometimes we mistakenly believe that God would never subject us to trial and temptation. We think that any trouble is the Devil’s doing, or our own. The Spirit led Jesus into trials that prepared Him for ministry. The Father required His ultimate sacrifice. How any follower of Christ could be surprised by suffering is beyond me.

Churchianity is chaff

John the Baptist called people into a true relationship with the Lord that was demonstrated by their actions. This relationship was not based on heritage (Mar 1:9). It was not based on religion either, for John himself went to the wilderness, not the temple. The fruit of this genuine relationship with God was very practical and simple (Luk 3:11-14). His advice was like Micah’s; do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God (Mic 6:8). And yet, these simple actions separate the wheat from the chaff (Mat 3:12). They prove whether you really want to know God, or you’re just going through some religious motions enjoying a false sense of security. The American Church needs a John the Baptist!

Keeping a promise

Both Mary and Zechariah cite God’s promise to Abraham while praising the Lord for the birth of Jesus (Luk 1:54-55, 72-73). God’s people understood and expected God to keep his promises. Genesis 12 was still at the forefront of their minds. They were looking for the One in whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. Even after long years of waiting, they had not re-interpreted the plan. They knew that a thousand years is like a day to the Lord and He makes all things beautiful in His time. (2Pe 3:8, Ecc 3:11)

Waiting for a miracle

I can identify with Zechariah. It had been 400 long, silent years. Things continued as the seemingly had always been. He performed his priestly duties faithfully, but it seemed that life had passed him by. Apparently the Lord was not going to act in his generation. But along came the angel Gabriel with the good news of a son (John the Baptist) even in Zecharaiah’s old age. Alas, Zechariah’s faith was all but extinguished by the time Gabriel showed up (Luk 1:18). But Zechariah’s waning faith did not prevent God from acting. Zechariah paid the small price of being temporarily mute, but God went ahead with the plan. Father, thank you that my lack of faith does not stay your mighty hand!