Luke 5:1-11 Four Fishermen Called as Disciples
“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”
Jesus is preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, but there’s a problem. The crowd is so enthralled by his teaching that they are crowding around, forcing him into the water. Looking around, Jesus sees Simon mending his net and asks Simon to allow him to sit in the boat while Simon pushes the boat out a little bit into the water. Now Jesus has a great place to sit away from the crush of the crowd and in addition, the water will help amplify his voice so that people will hear him better.
Once Jesus finishes teaching, he puts Simon to a test of faith. Everybody knows that fishing is better at night, and last night Simon and his colleagues did their best and caught nothing. Now Jesus orders Simon to launch out into the deep and set his nets. This is one of the weirdest orders Simon has ever received, but there’s something about Jesus that gets his attention. Jesus has a funny smile on his face like he knows something that Simon doesn’t know. Simon shrugs his shoulders and heads for deeper water. Why not humor Jesus? What does he have to lose?
Simon’s disbelief turns to shock as the net begins filling to overflowing. Suddenly, the net is so full of fish that it threatens to tip the boat over. Simon and his brother Andrew wave excitedly at James and John in the other boat, who rush to help bring in the overloaded nets. Before the fishermen are through, both boats are full to overflowing and are threatening to sink.
None of the fishermen can believe this catch. Once the boats return to shore, Simon prostrates himself before Jesus, crying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” While Simon makes it to his knees first, the other fishermen are similarly in awe. Who is this Jesus? How has he performed this miracle? But something even wilder is about to happen.
“And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.” There are other fishermen mending their nets at the same place. These guys were smirking when Simon went back out onto the lake, but now they have nothing to say. The big shock for these onlookers comes when the four fishermen who are dealing with their miraculous catch finish handling the fish, drag their boats up on the shore, drop their nets, and walk away to follow Jesus.
There are several kinds of miracles here. First, there is Simon’s willingness to allow Jesus to sit in his boat. None of the other fishermen care that Jesus is being forced into the water. Next, there’s Simon’s agreement to go back out onto the lake even though he’s already exhausted and even though this is the wrong time of day for fishing. There’s the miraculous catch of fish that overloads two boats. And finally, the greatest miracle of all, four rough tough fishermen who have braved storms on the Sea of Galilee for years are willing to leave everything to follow Jesus. These men are serious hard-nosed businessmen with successful operations, wives, and families. What’s so compelling about Jesus that they will simply walk away from everything? How does Jesus know he’s going to find his first disciples in this situation?
Throughout Jesus’ life, Jesus and his Heavenly Father have a continual dialogue going on. As Jesus walks through Capernaum, God the Father tells Jesus he will find many of his disciples in this town. It’s possible that God has also told Jesus that those ready to follow him will come as soon as he invites them. Anybody who begins giving excuses is not ready for discipleship.
Why would Jesus pick four fishermen as his first disciples? Can Jesus see Calvary from that beach at Capernaum? Even though these men aren’t sure what they are getting into, Jesus already knows following him will demand physical and mental toughness and the will to continue in the face of opposition and abuse. Jesus is aware that he is selecting future church leaders, not merely disciples who will follow him while he ministers on earth. Even at the onset of Jesus’ ministry, he realizes that each step he takes is one step closer to Calvary, where he will fulfill his calling as the spotless Lamb of God.
How many of us have a sense of mission? God has put each of us on earth for a reason, and yet many people fail to realize this fact. Martin Luther once said, “We are to be little Christs to our neighbors, for in so doing we find our true identity as children of God.” Copying Jesus’ behavior is a very serious business, for it means dying to our own desires and seeking to please God in everything we do. Jesus stands at the doors of our lives, beckoning us to come and follow him. Will we make the same choice as Simon and his friends, leaving everything to follow Jesus, or will we begin arguing and trying to negotiate? Later, Jesus will tell would-be disciples who are giving excuses for not following him instantly that “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
May God help us, so that we continually and perpetually answer His Call on our lives, never looking back or arguing, but obeying readily and cheerfully!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to answer and obey as soon as You call. Help us to trust You with every part of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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