Luke 5

“As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s Word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret.  He saw two of the boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land.  Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.” Luke 5:1-4 (HCSB)*

Many believe that when Jesus called His disciples, He simply said, “Follow me,” and they left everything.  It’s like they were zombies or something.  In Luke 5, we are given insight into five types of “tests” Messiah gave His followers before calling them.

The first test is the “Bias For Action Test.” Jesus had a need, and Simon Peter was naturally inclined to solve problems.  Peter had a bias for action.

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’  ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing!  But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.’” Luke 5:4-5

The second test is the “Because You Say So, I Will Test.” Even though Peter was the so-called expert, he submitted to the Lord’s direction.

“When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear.  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord!’” Luke 5:6-8

The third test was the “Who Deserves the Credit Test.” While Peter was a master fisherman, he knew only the Lord could have provided such a haul!

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ Jesus told Simon, ‘From now on, you’ll be catching people!’” Luke 5:10b

The fourth test was the “Grander Vision Test.” Jesus was replacing their Worldly goals with Kingdom ones.

“Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11

The fifth test was the “Will you Leave It Test.” Based on all they had experienced with Jesus, they believed in the grander vision and left everything to follow Him.

So, how do you rate regarding Jesus’ job interview?

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*All verses are HCSB