Luke 5:1-11
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Reflection:
One of Jesus' favorite teaching methods is what we call a "teachable moment". That is something happening in everyday life that Jesus can use an analogy to illustrate the spiritual life. In this case Peter, James and John had been out all night fishing and had "zilch" to show for it. For someone who earns a living by fishing, this was not good and I'm sure disheartening for them.
At the same time the crowds who had been following Jesus and amassed around him were waiting for what he might do next. Then it says he got in the boat and started teaching them. The sea became his classroom and the boat his pulpit. It does not say what exactly he taught them, but he decided to bring home the lesson by telling Peter to cast his clean net into the deep water. Peter is reluctant, but he has already seen Jesus do some pretty miraculous healing so he listens and obeys.
And then they caught such a huge amount of fish their nets were breaking, and they called the others to help bring it up out of the water. They filled not only Peter's boat but their companion's as well. When Peter saw this miracle he realized who he was standing in the presence of. When he realized Jesus' divinity, he realized his own human sinfulness so much so that he didn't feel worthy to be in Jesus' presence. Later Peter will be the first one to confess that Jesus is the Messiah.
Then comes the punch line and the teachable moment of the story. Jesus says don't be afraid from now on you will fish for people. And the disciples responded to the call, left all of their fishing equipment and followed Jesus. In essence they left everything they knew up to this point. They left their profession and their families, the two things nearest to them.
We are not sure what happened to the crowd, as this teachable moment was mainly for the disciples and specifically Peter, but I'm sure this added to buzz about Jesus. What can we learn from this!?
1. Peter had exhausted his skills and caught nothing. Even when Jesus told him to throw out the net he doubted it would do any good. But most importantly Peter obeyed and gave Jesus a chance to work.
How many times have you been in this place where you exhausted your resources and the thought of doing anything more even with God's help seemed in vain. Sometimes it is just when we are at the end of our rope that God extends us His rope. Why? So that we can know without a shadow of a doubt that it is He who is providing the catch.
Where do you need to listen to Jesus' and throw your net out there one more time, but this time with Jesus' help? Where are you trying to do it alone? Where is Jesus inviting you to completely trust him? Despite your doubts will you listen like Peter did today? Who knows you may receive more than you had hoped for or imagined!
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Reflection:
One of Jesus' favorite teaching methods is what we call a "teachable moment". That is something happening in everyday life that Jesus can use an analogy to illustrate the spiritual life. In this case Peter, James and John had been out all night fishing and had "zilch" to show for it. For someone who earns a living by fishing, this was not good and I'm sure disheartening for them.
At the same time the crowds who had been following Jesus and amassed around him were waiting for what he might do next. Then it says he got in the boat and started teaching them. The sea became his classroom and the boat his pulpit. It does not say what exactly he taught them, but he decided to bring home the lesson by telling Peter to cast his clean net into the deep water. Peter is reluctant, but he has already seen Jesus do some pretty miraculous healing so he listens and obeys.
And then they caught such a huge amount of fish their nets were breaking, and they called the others to help bring it up out of the water. They filled not only Peter's boat but their companion's as well. When Peter saw this miracle he realized who he was standing in the presence of. When he realized Jesus' divinity, he realized his own human sinfulness so much so that he didn't feel worthy to be in Jesus' presence. Later Peter will be the first one to confess that Jesus is the Messiah.
Then comes the punch line and the teachable moment of the story. Jesus says don't be afraid from now on you will fish for people. And the disciples responded to the call, left all of their fishing equipment and followed Jesus. In essence they left everything they knew up to this point. They left their profession and their families, the two things nearest to them.
We are not sure what happened to the crowd, as this teachable moment was mainly for the disciples and specifically Peter, but I'm sure this added to buzz about Jesus. What can we learn from this!?
1. Peter had exhausted his skills and caught nothing. Even when Jesus told him to throw out the net he doubted it would do any good. But most importantly Peter obeyed and gave Jesus a chance to work.
How many times have you been in this place where you exhausted your resources and the thought of doing anything more even with God's help seemed in vain. Sometimes it is just when we are at the end of our rope that God extends us His rope. Why? So that we can know without a shadow of a doubt that it is He who is providing the catch.
Where do you need to listen to Jesus' and throw your net out there one more time, but this time with Jesus' help? Where are you trying to do it alone? Where is Jesus inviting you to completely trust him? Despite your doubts will you listen like Peter did today? Who knows you may receive more than you had hoped for or imagined!
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