A welcomed intrusion?

In our mens’ bible study we have been looking at what Jesus has to say on money and wealth. Those who know about these sort of things tell us that if we take all the words Jesus spoke as recorded in the gospels then put together He has more to say about money than any other topic. I can well believe it, after all you don’t get very far without it, do you?

In our study we have to date kicked into touch the so called ‘Prosperity gospel’, the idea that you can measure a man’s righteousness and standing before God by the size of his wallet and bank balance. Equally rejected is the other extreme where men and women abandon the material things of this world in some quest for inner spiritual enlightenment.

Scripture states clearly that ‘the earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof’ (Psalm 24:1) 

The ‘cattle on a thousand hills belong to the LORD’ (Psalm 50:10). By the same token so too do the vaults in a thousand banks.(Haggai 2:8). True, the farmers and bankers may not see this intrusion into their possessions in quite the same light but if all things belong to the LORD then whatever things we assign ownership to ourselves in this world are simply on loan to us from God.

I found an interesting case study which i would like to share here. It is the account in the gospel of Luke (chp 5:1-11) where Jesus has just started His ministry and is preaching along the shores of Galilee. Its recorded that He was being pressed on every side and in an attempt to get some space He steps into an empty fishing boat at the edge of the lake. No doubt Peter was a little bit puzzled and perhaps taken aback when Jesus climbed into his boat, his business asset, and when He asked him to put out a little into the water so that he could continue speaking to the crowds without the associated hassle.

It is recorded that Peter agreed though was he perhaps thinking to himself “What right does this man have to do this to me, its costing me time and money which in a small business like mine can make all the difference between staying financially afloat and going under” This is an interesting case where Jesus simply walks into Peter’s business and starts directing the business and making use of business assets for His own purposes!

When Jesus has completed his talk he then asks Peter to put the boat out and let the nets down. What is interesting is that when Peter remarks that they have already been fishing all night and have caught nothing but, nevertheless, if that is what he wished he would do so, he calls Jesus by the name επιστατα (pronounced ‘epistata’ a polite way of addressing someone as’Master’). When the nets go down they immediately run into a shoal of fish and the nets are so full of fish they need to quickly sub contract other local businesses to handle the catch.

Peter falls to his knees and declares to Jesus “Depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man”. Notice this time however he addresses Jesus as κυριος (pronounced ‘Kurios’ the Greek word for the divine name of God, YHWH)

Jesus replies to him ‘Don’t be afraid from now on you will be capturing men’. The Greek word translated as ‘capturing men’ is ζωγρεω , prounounced ‘zo-greo’. Its a word used to refer to fishing but also to the taking of men alive in a battle.

If this had been us perhaps the next thought would be to offer Jesus a partnership in the business. Of course we would need more boats and staff and would now be able to open that new store in Bethsaida. But what does it say happens next? “Having brought the ships to land, leaving all, they followed him”.

A similar incident occurs right at the end of Jesus’ ministry after He has risen from the dead and gone ahead into Galilee. In John 21:1ff we read that, presumably for want of something better to do Peter decides to go fishing and some of the disciples accompany them. They fish all night and again catch nothing. In the early morning Jesus stands on the shoreline and calls out ‘Children, do you have any food?’ They havn’t recognized Him yet and respond with a gruff “NO!”. “Throw the net out on the right side” the stranger adds once again telling the managing director how to run his business. Well with nothing to lose I suppose they agree and the net goes out and within moments it is bulging with so many fish that they need to get their competitors out to help. It is recorded that they caught 153 very large fish. I guess the fact the number is mentioned is an indication that it was a record catch Yet in spite of the large number the nets were not damaged.

No doubt the memories are jogged and they recognize the stranger instantly as Jesus and very soon they are on the beach around a fire sharing breakfast with Him.

As for the 153 fish well we don’t know for sure what happened. I would like to think that Peter, so pre-occupied with his Lord, shouts across to some young children playing to run up to the village and tell the locals ”Free fish for all down at the beach!” 

It’s not stated if Peter ever went fishing again or what happened to his business but we know that from that point on his ministry in the newly established church in Jerusalem takes all his energy and time he starts his new career path, ”capturing men alive”.

Lord grant us the grace to allow you full access to our wealth and possessions and when you intrude in our business affairs and our possessions that we might have the grace and humility to allow you to make use them as you please for your glory in kingdom building. May we always be gracious about our wealth and not arrogant, ever ready to share with those less fortunate than ourselves and bringing much glory to Yourself. Amen

 The Scribbling Scribe  23rd October 2009