A "back seat driver'" is that passenger in a car who is eager to tell the driver how to drive! In this true story Jesus seems to be like a "back seat driver" in someone else's boat!
"One day .. Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding round Him and listening to the Word of God." Two boats were at the water's edge and the fishermen were washing their nets. Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to pull out a little from the shore. Then he 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 have worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.'"
1*.
Peter knew he should not allow his own thoughts and reasons to challenge what Jesus asked him to do.
You and I should never let our own thoughts about anything contradict what Jesus has said in His Word.
2*.
There will be times when you will discover that God's Word says something very different than what you thought was right. I hope you will be like Peter and obey Jesus rather than think you know best!
Peter was left in no doubt that Jesus knows best! "They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break"; enough to fill two boats!
3*.
Peter was ashamed of himself for having questioned Jesus words to him. "He fell at Jesus' knees and said, `Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'"
4*.
Then Jesus said to Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."
5*.
From now on Jesus wanted Peter to work for Him by fishing for men! For this he would not need a boat or fishing nets; his work would be to preach. Jesus commanded His disciples to "Preach the Gospel". They were to declare that Jesus alone had been appointed by God as the Saviour and that "everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."
6*.
Maybe your idea of how to get your sins forgiven is different than what Jesus told his disciples. Perhaps, like many others, you thought that sacraments or good works or religious devotion could help to have your sins taken away.
If you want to believe that then you will have to say that you do not believe that Jesus knew and taught the truth!
7*.
Today you should believe Jesus and put your trust in Him as your only Priest and Saviour. You will be very glad for all eternity that you decided to believe that Jesus knows best! Be willing, like Peter was in this story from Luke chapter 5, verses 1-11, to always trust and obey Jesus.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 see Luke 5:1-5.
2 Isaiah 55:8-9.
3 Luke 5:6-7.
4 Luke 5:8.
5 Luke 5:10.
6 Acts 10:42-43.
7 Proverbs 14:12. John 14:6.
8 Matthew 7:24-27.
