Read Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11

“At Your Word”

Matthew’s account of Jesus calling the two sets of fishing brothers is brief; Luke gives a little more detail into the incident leading up to their decision to leave their livelihood behind. After an unsuccessful day of fishing, Jesus comes and tells Peter, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Peter hesitated, but relented, “At Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).

You know what happened next. The nets became so full that they began to break, and they filled both boats so full of fish that they began to sink! What an incredible display of God’s power accomplished because Peter obeyed!

Have you ever encountered something as you study the Scriptures that you’ve never seen before? Perhaps a command or a principle that someone taught to you differently than the Bible actually presents it? You have a decision to make when such happens. You can either continue to practice what you have always practiced, even though you now know better. Or you can say, “At Your word, Jesus, I will do what You have commanded.”

Do you know what happens when you choose the latter? You will be blessed beyond measure. Even if you lose some things that are important to you, such as friendships, or family relationships, or even material possessions—Jesus will bless you because you obeyed!

“Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

Peter, Andrew, James, and John “forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11), and because of their faithful service to the King they will enjoy His incredible blessings for eternity. Are you willing to do what Jesus says, “At His word”?