Destined For Greatness

(Luke 5:4-6) If our son had done with stocks what he has done with baseball cards over the years, he’d probably be a millionaire some day. A lot of young guys look for the cards of the already famous players – but they have already appreciated in value. Doug always looked for the players who were promising in college and in the minor leagues. He always looked for these couple of specific statistics that were clues to future greatness. So, for example, he got some Mark McGuire cards when he was just a rookie on the USA team. Well, of course, Doug profited from buying a rookie card of a great prospect and then later watching its value take off. Doug has had the uncanny ability to see future greatness in a player. He knows what to look for.

When it comes to picking God’s future stars, there is one clue to future greatness that we know He looks for. It’s not some special ability. It’s a special quality that is within anyone’s reach. Which means you could be a prospect for future greatness – if you’re willing to develop the quality Jesus looks for.

You’ll find it in our word for today beginning in Luke 5:4ff. It’s about the man who would one day become the leader of Jesus’ twelve disciples and one of the leaders of the early Church – Simon Peter. But why would God use him? He talks big and doesn’t always deliver . . . he’s inconsistent . . . he sleeps on duty . . . he sometimes takes matters into his own hands – like cutting off someone’s ear . . . he even denies Jesus when the pressure is on. But Simon Peter had that one quality that Jesus looks for – it is what makes a disciple’s heart.

In Luke 5, Jesus has just finished teaching the crowds from Peter’s fishing 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 for a catch.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.”

Now Simon Peter is proud, impulsive – but he has the one trait out of which Jesus can build a major league disciple - unquestioning obedience. Peter has every reason not to do what Jesus says here about going fishing again. He’s already tried and failed . . . his experience tells him this won’t work, catching fish in the middle of the day . . . it’s going to be inconvenient and it’s going to look stupid. But notice - “Because You say so, I will.”

On that same basis, Peter will get out of a boat and walk on water . . . he’ll go as a missionary to Gentiles who he really doesn’t like. You see, that’s what Jesus loves . . . it’s what He looks for in His future spiritual stars - unquestioning obedience. Because if you’ve got that right, the other rough spots will eventually yield to His Lordship. “Jesus, whatever You say, I’ll do.” So you keep sex pure . . . you keep your marriage together . . . you’re honest no matter the cost . . . you give generously even if the dollars aren’t there . . . you forgive and restore a relationship where you’ve been hurt.

Are you someone Jesus can build into one of His trusted disciples? You may have many weaknesses, but once you know what Jesus says, you just do it. Then in the Major Leagues of usefulness to God, you are destined for greatness.

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc. Permission to reproduce this material is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, will not be sold, and will be distributed for the sole purpose of expanding the Gospel.

DINING ROOM     HOME