{"id":4322,"date":"2022-02-05T18:43:56","date_gmt":"2022-02-05T07:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=4322"},"modified":"2022-02-05T18:43:56","modified_gmt":"2022-02-05T07:43:56","slug":"jesus-calls-for-faith-and-obedience-06-02-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=4322","title":{"rendered":"Jesus calls for Faith and Obedience 06-02-2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

6th<\/sup>\u00a0February 2022 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Title: Jesus\u2019 call for Faith and Obedience<\/strong>
\n(Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:1\u20138 & Luke 5:1\u201311)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>By Heeyoung Lim<\/strong><\/p>\n

In difficult circumstances, a young man Isaiah went to worship, saw the Lord, and had his life changed forever. God’s ministers called Seraphs are serving him and they are literally the \u201cburning ones”. They appear only here in the Old Testament as members of God’s court. They covered their faces so they would not see the holiness of God. The prophet Isaiah stood in the divine council but identified himself with his people on earth who were unclean.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Isaiah confessed that I am a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people’s sinfulness, and God accepted the prophet’s confession. (5). In today’s text, God took away his guilt and atoned for his sin, and the heat and holiness joined to prepare him to use those lips as God’s messenger. Isaiah was accepted to stand in God’s presence. When he heard God’s question, “Who will go for us?”, he volunteered, “Here am I. Send me!”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many people do not listen and cannot understand what God is saying, but God remains faithful and declares His word through His people. God called his prophet to confront a faithless king and declare judgment for the present but hope for the future. God\u2019s people are called, cleansed, and commissioned. God calls people to be a part of His mission. God wants people to volunteer to go where he wants to send them. May we be able to respond to the voice of God calling like “Here am I. Send me!”<\/strong><\/p>\n

God comes to us through Scripture and Christ. Isaiah\u2019s experience shows both the unapproachable glory of God and how we might access God’s glory. God’s grace is achieved through not by the striving of God\u2019s witnesses but by divine power, in the promise of renewal and the restoration at God\u2019s appointed time. God’s promise can be expressed as holy seed, it will be blossomed and fruitful in faith. Even in our very incompetent to do what God asked, may we completely respond to God and mirror to the world in Christ.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Luke\u2019s gospel, Jesus had witnessed their lives before calling disciples to a ministry of witness. Jesus’ eyes cuts through the din of pressing crowds and the lives and labours of common people. Jesus’ power also transforms the lives of those who hear and obey. Prior to Jesus\u2019 call to Simon, James, and John, Jesus\u2019 word brought the people to the lakeshore. His recent healing of the possessed man in Capernaum amazed the people and His reputation had spread rapidly and widely. When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon,\u00a0\u201cPut out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.\u201d These are clearly hard words for Simon to hear after an unproductive night of fishing. Simon answered, \u201cMaster,\u00a0we\u2019ve worked hard all night and haven\u2019t caught anything.\u00a0But because you say so, I will let down the nets.\u201d Simon submits to the request as an act of obedience, and this tangible sign of obedience leads to miraculous results.<\/strong><\/p>\n

God\u2019s living word calls, pulls, and pushes people out. Simon and James and John could hardly believe their unexpected abundant catch through Jesus’ word from deep and empty waters. They were amazed and yet afraid. The word came to them and captured them. They left boats and nets and followed Jesus. Jesus’ living word cuts through our daily life with the gift of grace and freedom that enables one to leave old way to follow Jesus.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A sense of expectation accompanies Jesus\u2019 command to set out the nets again. In accordance with some biblical commentaries, several types of fishing nets were used in those times, depending on conditions. The net Jesus tells them to let down is a trammel net, commonly used in night-time fishing. It was the wrong type to use in daytime, as its web could be easily avoided by the fish and would be visible to the fish in the daytime. Simon knows this; however, the fishers follow Jesus\u2019 command. He simply says,\u00a0\u201cBut at your word I will let down the nets.\u201d Even when Jesus wanted them to do extra work in different means they never experienced before, they obeyed Jesus’ words and followed Him rather than arguing or showing off.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The miraculous catch of fish that fishermen could not do with their skills was unexpected, and the means of catching was also different with tradition. Jesus responds with both assurance and commission. He said to His disciples, \u201cdo not be afraid\u201d and \u201cyou will be catching people\u201d. Jesus invites Simon and the others to join with Him in proclaiming the reign of God. Jesus has revealed his power through his teaching, his miracles, and his calling of disciples to follow him in his mission.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are called to cast a net of God\u2019s way of love, justice, and peace and gather all people into abundant life and God’s work. How do we respond to Jesus? May we expect to find Jesus at work revealing Himself in the midst of human need. Jesus is the source of all power. Let Him be the power source in every area of life. Jesus\u2019 divine power and authority give us reason to follow Him in the new ways which human tradition cannot do.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus’ power is much bigger than what we know and how we have always done it. Jesus invites Simon to cast those nets that he had just finished cleaning once more. Jesus’ call and word take us to much bigger place than our capabilities and our comfort zones through our faith and obedience. Do we still stay where we\u2019re comfortable? God will show us what we\u2019re truly capable of when we trust Him beyond our own ability.<\/strong><\/p>\n

May we listen for God’s call and volunteer to go on mission for Him. We would say to Jesus, \u201cbut because you say so I will let down the nets\u201d even in a situation that we never imagined before. Jesus tells us, \u201cPut out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.\u201d Jesus was clear about those who heard but did not act: the word of God is not to be taken lightly. Where is our deep water? What are our nets? No matter what, may we believe that God is the power source in every area of life. Jesus’ call and word are calling, pulling, pushing us outward toward new and boundless horizons. May we walk on a deeper, happier, and new journey of faith through the power of Christ and the Word of God.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks be to God! Amen. <\/strong>
\n(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

6th\u00a0February 2022 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany) Title: Jesus\u2019 call for Faith and Obedience (Scripture Reading: Isaiah 6:1\u20138 & Luke 5:1\u201311) \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 By Heeyoung Lim In difficult circumstances, a young man Isaiah went to worship, saw the Lord, and had his life changed forever. God’s ministers called Seraphs are serving him and they are literally the \u201cburning ones”. They appear only here in the Old Testament as members of God’s court. They covered their faces so they would not see the holiness of God. The prophet Isaiah stood in the divine council but identified himself with his people on earth who were unclean. Isaiah confessed that I am a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people’s sinfulness, and God accepted the prophet’s confession. (5). In today’s text, God took away his guilt and atoned for his sin, and the heat and holiness joined to prepare him to use those lips as God’s messenger. Isaiah was accepted to stand in God’s presence. When he heard God’s question, “Who will go for us?”, he volunteered, “Here am I. Send me!” Many people do not listen and cannot understand what God is saying, but God remains faithful and declares His word through His people. God called his prophet to confront a faithless king and declare judgment for the present but hope for the future. God\u2019s people are called, cleansed, and commissioned. God calls people to be a part of His mission. God wants people to volunteer to go where he wants to send them. May we be able to respond to the voice of God calling like “Here am I. Send me!” God comes to us through Scripture and Christ. Isaiah\u2019s experience shows both the unapproachable glory of God and how we might access God’s glory. God’s grace is achieved through not by the striving of God\u2019s witnesses but by divine power, in the promise of renewal and the restoration at God\u2019s appointed time. God’s promise can be expressed as holy seed, it will be blossomed and fruitful in faith. Even in our very incompetent to do what God asked, may we completely respond to God and mirror to the world in Christ. In Luke\u2019s gospel, Jesus had witnessed their lives before calling disciples to a ministry of witness. Jesus’ eyes cuts through the din of pressing crowds and the lives and labours of common people. Jesus’ power also transforms the lives of those who hear and obey. Prior to Jesus\u2019 call to Simon, James, and John, Jesus\u2019 word brought the people to the lakeshore. His recent healing of the possessed man in Capernaum amazed the people and His reputation had spread rapidly and widely. When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon,\u00a0\u201cPut out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.\u201d These are clearly hard words for Simon to hear after an unproductive night of fishing. Simon answered, \u201cMaster,\u00a0we\u2019ve worked hard all night and haven\u2019t caught anything.\u00a0But because you say so, I will let down the nets.\u201d Simon submits to the request as an act of obedience, and this tangible sign of obedience leads to miraculous results. God\u2019s living word calls, pulls, and pushes people out. Simon and James and John could hardly believe their unexpected abundant catch through Jesus’ word from deep and empty waters. They were amazed and yet afraid. The word came to them and captured them. They left boats and nets and followed Jesus. Jesus’ living word cuts through our daily life with the gift of grace and freedom that enables one to leave old way to follow Jesus.\u00a0 A sense of expectation accompanies Jesus\u2019 command to set out the nets again. In accordance with some biblical commentaries, several types of fishing nets were used in those times, depending on conditions. The net Jesus tells them to let down is a trammel net, commonly used in night-time fishing. It was the wrong type to use in daytime, as its web could be easily avoided by the fish and would be visible to the fish in the daytime. Simon knows this; however, the fishers follow Jesus\u2019 command. He simply says,\u00a0\u201cBut at your word I will let down the nets.\u201d Even when Jesus wanted them to do extra work in different means they never experienced before, they obeyed Jesus’ words and followed Him rather than arguing or showing off. The miraculous catch of fish that fishermen could not do with their skills was unexpected, and the means of catching was also different with tradition. Jesus responds with both assurance and commission. He said to His disciples, \u201cdo not be afraid\u201d and \u201cyou will be catching people\u201d. Jesus invites Simon and the others to join with Him in proclaiming the reign of God. Jesus has revealed his power through his teaching, his miracles, and his calling of disciples to follow him in his mission.\u00a0 We are called to cast a net of God\u2019s way of love, justice, and peace and gather all people into abundant life and God’s work. How do we respond to Jesus? May we expect to find Jesus at work revealing Himself in the midst of human need. Jesus is the source of all power. Let Him be the power source in every area of life. Jesus\u2019 divine power and authority give us reason to follow Him in the new ways which human tradition cannot do.\u00a0 Jesus’ power is much bigger than what we know and how we have always done it. Jesus invites Simon to cast those nets that he had just finished cleaning once more. Jesus’ call and word take us to much bigger place than our capabilities and our comfort zones through our faith and obedience. Do we still stay where we\u2019re comfortable? God will<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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\u00a0…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4322"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4323,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4322\/revisions\/4323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}