Luke 5:4-6

Russ remarked, “I have heard fish stories before, but this one beats them all.”  There was no way he was going to believe his friend’s story.  “Trust me,” John said, “This is no fish story.”  Russ wasn’t convinced.  It wasn’t until he saw the pictures and the mounted fish that Russ finally believed John wasn’t exaggerating.

Peter and the other disciples were like Russ.  They were professionals and they knew better.  So when Jesus told them to put out into deep water, they thought that it wouldn’t accomplish anything.  In spite of their reservations, they decided to do what Jesus told them.

Much to their amazement, the impossible happened.  The catch was beyond their wildest dreams.  Suddenly the truth terrified them.  They just experienced a miracle, and they recognized they were in the presence of God (Luke 5:8-9).

As I consider this account, I am confronted by conflicting conclusions.  I can reject the account as an exaggeration – just another fish story.  On the other hand, I can believe the account is a true event in the life of Jesus and his disciples.

If I choose to reject the miracle, as well as the response of the disciples, I may gain a small piece of self-satisfaction, but what do I lose in exchange?  In contrast, if I put my confidence in Luke’s inspired account of Jesus’ miracle, what do I gain?

The bottom line is this.  I cannot afford to pick and choose what I like or what I don’t like.  That process leaves me with nothing.  I need to believe everything Luke records regarding Jesus, and I need to believe it is the truth.

Luke’s Gospel is a carefully investigated account of the life of Jesus (Luke 1:1-4).  It is also a true account because he wrote by the power of God the Holy Spirit.  Because it is true, it eliminates fear.  It erases doubt.  It declares forgiveness.  It proclaims peace.  It eases pain.  It offers a purpose for life.  It gives me every reason to follow Jesus without hesitation (Luke 5:11).

Luke went to great lengths to record the facts of Jesus’ life and ministry and to share that truth with me.  It is because his efforts were guided by the Holy Spirit that I can have complete confidence in what has been recorded.  It is also because of God’s undeserved love that I can answer a most urgent question:  “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (Luke 24:26)  Based on the truth of Luke’s detailed account, I can say, “Absolutely!  And, he did it for me!”