Two choices: We can try to hold on. Or we can let go and follow

By Dean Collins

There are definitely times when we simply need to hold on. Clinging to your faith, for example, is important. When we are going through a tough situation, we need to hold on to the God who loves us and the many passages of Scripture that comfort us.

Holding on to our commitment to our marriage and family is also important. There will be temptations to focus exclusively on work or on your own dreams. You can come up with many rationales for meeting your own needs to make yourself happier and therefore a better spouse and parent. But fighting back against selfishness and holding onto our vows and our responsibilities always bring good to our lives and to those we love.

Holding on or holding back?

Early in the ministry of Jesus, many were amazed at his teachings and miracles. Crowds gathered to hear him. In Luke 4 we read that after many had been healed, Jesus left the crowd and went to a desolate place. Everyone, including Jesus, needs a quiet place to rest, think, and pray. But the people were persistent and they found him and were determined to keep him. They were trying to hold on. Luke said the crowd would have kept him from leaving them, but he said something to them that eased their grip.

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

There’s a time when holding on might actually result in holding back from God’s plans for us. Jesus did come for those who had experienced his love and miracles that particular day. But he also came for others. In fact, his purpose was to share the good news of the kingdom with everyone. What everyone didn’t yet understand was that once they received his love and forgiveness, they were to release it for the benefit of others.

More than enough

Luke helps us to this conclusion when he introduces the incident in the next chapter. When Jesus left the clingy crowd, he saw some boats on the shore of Galilee and got into one. It happened to be Simon Peter’s boat. Jesus asked Simon to push off a little ways from the shore. There Jesus continued his teachings for the people who had pursued him. When he was finished he gave instructions to Simon to take the boat out into deep water and let down his nets.

When Jesus got into the boat, Simon and his friends had basically called it a day. And it wasn’t a good one. The fish had avoided the nets, and they were empty. Sometimes you have simply exerted enough effort and you know it’s time to stop. Simon and his friends were professionals. They knew the sea and they knew their trade. It wasn’t going to happen today. But likely out of courtesy for this rabbi, Simon dropped the nets one more time.

To his amazement the nets were filled with fish beyond their capacity. He asked his buddies quickly to come and help. This catch was one to be shared. It was more than enough for every fisherman nearby. The catch was so great that the boat began to sink. A daylong experience of empty nets suddenly had turned to a greater catch than Peter could manage.

Don’t be afraid

Peter’s mood shifted from playing along with Jesus to being overwhelmed by his grace and mercy. It was more than he could handle, and he told Jesus as much. “Leave me, Lord, I am sinful.” Peter was right. He was sinful. He had never experienced such favor.

I have a feeling that there was silence between Jesus and Peter for several minutes. The chatter was between the fishermen as they struggled together to reel in the catch of their lives. It was probably when the last fish was in the boat that Jesus spoke next.

“Don’t be afraid, Peter”

Peter heard Jesus. James and John and the others heard Jesus as well.

“From now on you will be fishers of men”

That’s all it took. Peter and the others left their boats and followed Jesus.

Shared with others

They were beginning to see that holding on to the catch of fish wasn’t the thing to do. They would continue to learn that holding onto God’s grace and mercy wasn’t right, either. The gifts of God and the favor of God were to be shared with others. The good news needed to be spread to everyone and everywhere.

There would be some stops and starts on this new venture as fishers of men. They would all literally die sharing the good news of Jesus far and wide. Holding on and holding back are not kingdom virtues. Our calling is to receive God’s grace and share it freely. Following Jesus wherever he leads beats holding on any day.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:42-44; ‭5:3-11‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Pietro Jeng on Unsplash

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