Make Room for Him (Jesus)

Scriptures:

Luke 5:3: And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Genesis 26:1-3: ¹ And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. ² And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: ³ sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Introduction

As we step into the new year, the theme I want to challenge you with is to "Make Room for Him." As we embark on this journey through 2026, it's time to clear space in our hearts, lives, and daily routines for Jesus to move in a way we’ve never experienced before. This year is not about religious rituals or mere routine; it's about making room for the one who has the power to transform our lives completely.

In Luke 5:3, we see Jesus calling out to Peter, asking him to let down his boat so that He might teach the crowds. Peter, having just returned from an exhausting night of fishing with no catch, could have easily ignored the request, but instead, he made room for Jesus. That simple act of obedience unlocked a miracle in his life.

Just as Peter made room for Jesus, so should we. The question is: will we allow Him into our boats this year? Will we open up our hearts to His presence, His word, and His will? By doing so, we position ourselves for a breakthrough. This sermon is not just an invitation to hear God’s word, but to act upon it with immediate obedience. Just as Peter’s obedience led to a miraculous catch, so can our obedience lead to divine intervention.

Heavenly Father, as we enter this new year, we desire to make room for You in every area of our lives. We lay aside distractions and open our hearts to Your Word. Help us to obey with unwavering faith, to listen attentively to Your voice, and to trust You completely. May this year be one of abundant blessings as we walk in obedience to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Luke 5 – Peter and the Miraculous Catch

To understand the significance of making room for Jesus, we need to delve into the context of Luke 5. Peter, along with his partners James and John, had been fishing all night and caught nothing. This was not only frustrating but also disheartening. Yet, Jesus asked Peter to go back and cast the nets once more.

In the Sea of Galilee, where Peter had worked for years, the waters were well known to him. His experience told him that it was futile to try again after such a long, fruitless night. But Jesus, with a simple command, changed everything. "Let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4). It was at that moment that Peter chose to make room for Jesus—he chose to obey, despite his exhaustion and doubts.

This moment was pivotal because it shows us that obedience to God often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. We might face challenges, discouragement, or fear, but the key is obedience. Just like Peter, who obeyed even when he didn’t fully understand why, we too are called to trust God’s instructions, even when they don’t make sense.

Peter’s obedience resulted in a miraculous catch of fish. Jesus didn’t just fill his boat; He exceeded Peter’s expectations. When we make room for Jesus through our obedience, we too can expect His abundance and breakthrough.

Obedience to God’s Word Unlocks Breakthroughs

The story of Peter’s miraculous catch is a powerful illustration of what happens when we obey God’s Word, even when it contradicts our human reasoning or experience. In Genesis 26:1-3, we find Isaac, who was told by God not to go to Egypt during a famine but to stay in the land of Gerar. Isaac could have easily ignored God’s command and gone to Egypt for safety, but instead, he obeyed and remained in Gerar. His obedience resulted in God’s blessing, and he reaped a hundredfold in the same year (Genesis 26:12).

Isaac’s story parallels Peter’s experience. Both were faced with seemingly impossible circumstances, Peter with a fruitless night of fishing, and Isaac with a famine. Yet, their obedience to God led them to experience divine provision and blessings. Isaac’s obedience kept him in the place of God’s blessing, just as Peter’s obedience positioned him for a miraculous breakthrough.

The Command to Cast Out, The Obedience of Peter

Let’s focus on the command of Jesus in Luke 5:4: "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." This command was not just about catching fish; it was a lesson in obedience. Jesus was inviting Peter to trust in His word beyond human understanding. The Greek word used here for "cast out" (ἐκβάλλω) suggests not just throwing the nets in but doing so with a sense of finality and commitment, as if to say, "I’m going all in."

Peter’s response, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5), is a powerful declaration of obedience. Peter’s words reveal trust in the authority of Jesus, even when his experience suggested failure. In the same way, we are called to trust God’s word over our circumstances and act in obedience, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

Making Room for Jesus: Obedience Leads to Miracles

When we make room for Jesus in our lives, we are not simply creating physical space, but spiritual space. The boat in Peter’s story represents the space in our lives where Jesus can dwell, teach, and perform miracles. By surrendering this space to Him, we invite His presence to bring transformation.

Just as Peter’s boat became the vessel for the miraculous catch, our lives become vessels for divine intervention when we make room for Jesus through obedience. This obedience requires trust, faith, and an openness to step out of our comfort zones, just like Isaac in Genesis 26, who obeyed God’s command despite the apparent risk.

How to Make Room for Jesus in 2026

1. Obey Immediately: When God speaks, act quickly. Don’t delay or second-guess. Just as Peter responded immediately to Jesus’ command, we too must be quick to obey, trusting that God’s way is always the best.

2. Create Space in Your Schedule: This year, set aside time for prayer, Bible study, and quiet moments with God. Prioritize His presence over distractions.

3. Trust God’s Timing: Like Isaac, we must trust that God’s timing is perfect. Even when things seem difficult or uncertain, God is working behind the scenes for our good.

4. Expect Miracles: As you make room for Jesus, expect Him to work in your life. When you obey, you position yourself for divine breakthroughs that exceed your expectations.

Conclusion

Make Room for Him and Receive the Miracle. This year, make room for Jesus. Obey His Word, trust His timing, and expect to experience miracles. Just as Peter’s obedience led to a miraculous catch of fish, your obedience will lead to breakthroughs, blessings, and a deeper relationship with Jesus.

As we move forward in 2026, let us commit to making room for Him in every area of our lives. When we do, we will see God move in ways we never imagined.

Lord Jesus, help us to make room for You in our hearts and lives. Give us the strength to obey Your commands, even when they don’t make sense to us. We trust in Your timing and Your plan for our lives. May this year be filled with divine breakthroughs as we walk in obedience to Your Word.