Summer Reflection: Luke 5:1-11
Luke 5:1 Now it came about that while the multitude were pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
Introduction
This morning I want us to begin a collection of Summer Reflections, which at least initially, will be taken from one of our readings for the day.
Now my hope is that these reflections will be a kinder and more gentle approach to sermons than my usual approach often is.
As such, they may prove more fitting for the laid-back months of summer.
That said, this morning, our first reflection is taken from our Gospel reading found in Luke chapter 5.
Verse 1
Luke 5:1 Now it came about that while the multitude were pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
Notice at once where chapter 5 takes place: verse one tells us that Jesus and His disciples are by the lake of Gennesaret (that is they are by the Sea of Galilee). Importance: by the time we reach Luke chapter 5, the disciples have been with Jesus for several weeks (maybe even months). In other words, while Chapter 5 takes place early in Jesus’ ministry, it is not the first encounter between Jesus and His disciples. Instead, by the time we get to chapter 5, the disciples have already seen Jesus’ baptism, where Jesus called them to follow Him. They have traveled with Jesus from southern Israel to northern portion of the kingdom. They have been to the wedding at Cana. They have heard Jesus teach in the synagogues. And they have watched Him perform countless miracles. Bottom line: chapter 5 represents the first time the disciples have been back home since meeting Jesus.
Verses 2-3
2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the multitudes from the boat.
Next, notice the surprise: every detail of verses 2-3 is given to expose the disciples’ measured/limited commitment to Jesus. First, notice that the disciples have returned home and have immediately gone back to fishing. In fact, notice that Luke does not refer to them as disciples at all. Instead, he calls them fishermen. Notice the result: the picture provided in verses 2-3 is that of men who are fishermen first and followers second. They have been on a spiritual pilgrimage to see John. They have met Jesus and traveled with Him back to their home in Galilee. It has been a rich and rewarding experience but now it is time to go back to work. Importance: by showing us the disciples’ heart, Scripture intends us to see our own heart. Notice then, just like the disciples, we too very often separate our spiritual life from our everyday activities. Our faith is a personal matter. Our work is a public matter. The result is that we end up serving God whenever it does not conflict or interfere with our jobs or busy schedules. What we don’t do is think through our day with the heart of the Master. Bottom line: like the disciples we too are very often fishermen first and followers second.
Second, notice Luke tells us that Jesus was teaching the multitudes. However, please note he never tells us what Jesus taught. Why? Remember, Luke was not an eyewitness to these events. Rather, he depended on the disciples for his information. In other words, it is quite possible that the reason Luke does not record what Jesus said is because the disciples did not remember what He said. Notice then, verse 2 tells us that while Jesus was speaking the disciples were busy cleaning their nets. Yes, they were listening but only out of one ear. Their minds (and thus their hearts) were elsewhere. As such, Jesus’ words made only a passing impression. Importance: once again we see ourselves in the disciples. Very often we fail grasp the depth of Scripture’s meaning, the power of its comfort, or the richness of its relevance because we too are listening with only half a heart. Regardless, in the end, like the disciples, we are quite often fishermen first and followers second.
Verse 4-5
4 And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets.”
Next, notice that verses 4 and 5 provide the transition for the entire passage. How? After teaching the crowd, Jesus tells Peter to put out into deep water and cast his nets. In other words, Jesus instructs Peter to fish in the most unlikely manner. What Jesus has called Peter to do doesn’t make any sense to Peter, the fisherman. Importance: in the same way, Jesus will often call you to serve Him in ways, that at first, make no sense to you (Isa 55:8-9).
Next, notice Peter’s response (and here’s the transition): against all his experience as a fisherman, against all practicality and common sense, Peter does what Jesus asks. Importance: at this moment Peter stops being a fisherman and starts being a follower first. In other words, Peter isn’t acting like a fisherman here (fishermen know better). Instead, Peter is becoming a follower first (he is doing what Jesus says even though it goes against every ounce of his understanding and experience).
Verses 6-10a
6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break; 7 and they signaled to their partners in the other boat, for them to come and help them. And they came, and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
Next, notice the result of Peter’s faithfulness to follow: the fishermen have the biggest catch in company history. In modern terms, they have landed the big deal, they have made the big sale, they have gotten the big promotion. But here is the point I want you to see: for those who are fishermen first, this is where the story ends. This is all that fills their hearts and therefore it is all that fills their prayers. To them this is the only thing they imagine that God’s favor looks like.
Verses 10b-11
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Notice at once the surprise: to those who were once fishermen but who are now followers first, the blessing has nothing to do with the fish. It isn’t about the world’s business. Instead, it is about our heavenly Father’s business. Notice then, Jesus points to the lavish catch and says, “From now on you will be catching men”. In other words, Jesus intends the big pile of fish to directly illustrate the lavish way He will bless His people’s witness.
Bottom line: this morning I want to offer you two challenges:
· First, I want you to pay attention to the ways in your own life that find yourself being a fisherman first instead of a follower. Ask yourself, am I fishing or am I following.
· Second, I want you to ask God to make you a follower first in whatever area of your life you find yourself just fishing; and then I want you to pay attention to Scripture as it tells you what following in that area means.