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A Reservoir of Blessings (Luke 5:1-11)
In our story today, we read the record of a miraculous catch of fish – Luke 5:1-11. Peter and his business partners had worked hard all night trying to catch fish and had not been successful. Mind you, these were professional fishermen. It was a family business that they had all been involved in, most likely from childhood; they knew the trade like the back of their hands.
Preamble
First of all, if you go fishing at a time when the water is calm, it increases your chances of catching fish; every fisherman knows this, especially professional fishermen. And the nighttime is a time when people are asleep in their houses; so there is less disturbance in the waters. Therefore, when Jesus showed up in the daytime, when people were already up and about, and asked Peter to cast his nets for a catch, Peter was quick to educate Jesus about the proper time to fish. He said, “Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing” (v. 5). This, however, did not stop Peter from trusting in Jesus and casting his nets. What followed was probably the biggest personal miracle he had ever witnessed prior to his meeting with Jesus, and that brought him down to his knees before Jesus.
The Lesson
Jesus filled Peter’s nets with fish so much that the nets began to break and Peter had to call in his partners to transfer some of the fish to their own boat. The fish were so much that both boats even began to sink. One significance and lesson from this miracle is that Jesus wants to fill us up to overflow. But the story and lesson do not end there.
Amidst the celebration of the great catch, Jesus revealed the true mind of God. “Follow me,” He said, “and I will make you fishers of people” (Matthew 4:19, ISV). In essence, Jesus was saying to them, “I have filled your boats so you can go fill other people’s boats. The great catch is not so you can become a consumer, but so you can become a supplier.”
You see, when God blesses you, it is so you can become a reservoir of blessings. According to Oxford Languages, “a reservoir is a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply.” A reservoir does not generate its own supply of water; the water often comes from somewhere else. However, the reservoir always gives out some of that water. God is the great source, the generator and originator of our blessings. But each of us is not at the end of the process. It is a cycle. There is always someone else we are meant to bless. You just have to let God teach you how to fish for them.
Peter and his brother, Andrew, and their partners, James and John, all deserted the great catch, their boats, their family business, their father (Mark 1:20), indeed, they left everything behind and ran after Jesus so He could teach them how to use their reserves to bless people. And, the Bible is full of the marvellous things that these simple fishermen were able to accomplish in the lives of people around them.
Conclusion
If we were to write your own story today, what would it be? Would it be one of a reservoir or that of a hoarder? Is your excuse that you do not know how to be a reservoir or that you do not feel like one? Why not take Jesus up on His offer?! He will never disappoint you. Right now, He’s saying, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19, NLT.
Do you hear God speaking to you today through this lesson? Please, leave a comment or question; your comment/question might be a blessing to someone. You could also contact us through our contact page.
For further study and to know the difference between a reservoir and a channel of God’s provisions, I highly recommend this short article titled, “Are You a Reservoir or a Channel?“
For the other miracle lessons, please go to the miracle lessons page.
I was around 5 when, I am strongly convinced, I first heard the distinct voice of God. But, not until I was 11 (2002) did I have a personal encounter with Him. I was in my room that night, about to pray before bed, when I saw a revelation of how filthy my heart was. I didn't argue with God that I was too young to have such amount of filth ('cause I believed I was a 'good boy,' by human standards, at least). I simply cried uncontrollably in brokenness of heart - "The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God" (Psalm 51:17) - and He didn't.
Still crying uncontrollably, I left my room and went to the living room, where my parents were watching the nightly news on TV. After I managed to tell them about the revelation I saw, my sweet mum took me to her room and led me to Christ. I got saved that night. And 6 years later, I discovered my purpose and assignment on earth, which is raising up men and women to be godly, and teaching them the simplicity of Christianity. More than a decade later, I am still fulfilling that purpose to His glory. Hallelujah!
