Burn the Boats

The Spanish Conquistador known as Herman Cortes brought his men to explore and obtain the land known as Mexico. In doing so to keep his men trained to look forward to the mission he gave the order, burn the boats.  It was an amazing order that would inspire his men that the mission must be accomplished. Still today you will hear the phrase that was uttered in 1519, Burn the Boats.

We don’t find the phrase, burn the boats in scripture, but there is a story that reminds me of the same commitment.  The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus have happened and now where are the remaining eleven disciples? They were hiding at times, searching and wondering.  Even to the point that Simon Peter said, let’s go back to fishing.  This was his comfort zone. He had grown up a fisherman. He knew the craft, he understood the assignment and after all he had experienced in the last few weeks, it seemed like a safe landing spot.
 
But something happened! While fishing all night on the sea, at the break of dawn they see a campfire on the shore.  There is man who asks, if they caught anything last night.  The answer is no. Then the man said, put the nets on the other side of the boat.  Though this made no sense to an experienced fisherman, in their frustration, they tried it.  Sure enough the nets were filled with fish like never before.  “Therefore, that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.” John 21:7. I have no doubt that when Simon Peter leaped into the chilly waters that morning it was a burn the boats moment in his life.

The song, I have Decided to Follow Jesus is said to have originated from an encounter of a converted family in India in the 1800’s. They were about to be put to death by the garo tribe who were known headhunters in north India. Before execution the man was asked to recount his faith and he replied, “though none go with me, still I will follow.”  When questioned again he replied, “no turning back.”  The account goes that this encounter changed the tribal chief to the point he said, then I must follow this Jesus as well.  (taken from Leon Steir, The story behind the song I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.)

Revival is a time for commitment, rededication and a time to refocus on our Lord.  But if you truly want a personal revival, how about leaving the boat behind? Could it be this weekend you could truly sing in your heart, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”