IS JESUS IN YOUR BOAT?

“He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.” – Luke 5:2-3.

When Jesus approached the lake of Gennesaret, He saw two boats by the lake with no fishermen. The fishermen were out of their boats washing their nets. One of the fishermen, Simon, was most likely frustrated because a night of fishing had yielded nothing. It was this unsuccessful boat that Jesus chose to sit in.  Jesus knew what would happen but wanted to see if Simon would trust Him.

Jesus sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they did so, they caught so many fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

What was different between the period when they couldn’t catch anything and the moment when they had too many fish to handle? It was the same lake, the same boat, the same nets, the same fishermen, and the same fish. The difference between empty nets and abundance was Jesus’ presence in the boat. It was a game-changer. They were no longer fishing by themselves. God was in their boat. Nothing has changed over the last 2,000 years. Jesus is still willing to meet us when things are not going well, and life is not as planned.

Think of your boat as whatever you do in your life. If you want God to bless you, invite Him into your boat. This isn’t about salvation or just saying a one-time prayer but asking Jesus to live in you and through you daily. When Simon Peter and Andrew did this, God gave them more fish than they could handle.

Life can be complicated, so let Jesus simplify things. Life can seem possible, but with God, all things are possible. Burdens are part of life and are complicated. Jesus says he will lighten your burdens. But He must be in the boat with you to do those things.

What is in your boat right now? Is it an unhealthy body, emotional upheaval, financial needs, unemployment, spiritual struggles, anxiety, etc.? Whatever it may be, invite the Lord into your boat and watch what He can do.

Discussion Questions:

1. How would life be different if you were convinced that God was in the boat with you?
2. What area of your life would change if you were confident that God was with you?