Text: Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 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.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
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."
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled 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.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 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 catch people."
So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
It is pretty amazing isn't it? A spectacular miracle! Peter and his mates have been fishing all night. They're looking forward to a good sleep. But then, Jesus, who knows a lot about teaching but very little about fishing, tells Peter "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." It's obviously the wrong time of day and the wrong place to fish, but Peter somehow accepts that Jesus is the boss, the master. He obeys, although he does make it quite clear it's not his idea and he reserves the right to say 'I told you so' when they come back with nothing. "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
Not the nets are filled. Filled to breaking point. Two boats just manage to get the catch back to the shore without sinking. Peter is astounded. Peter's fishing mates are amazed. We are astounded and amazed and jealous that we haven't been able to have something like this encourage our faith or impress others. We question why our congregation isn't known as the place of miracles, but rather the place of ordinary dull unexcited and unexcitable people.
Let's dream a little. Instead of dreaming what life would be like if we could render repeat performances today, (I know that's asking a lot, especially for the fishing enthusiasts in our midst) let's put ourselves in Peter's shoes. Peter the hard-working fisherman who makes a living by trying to find fish depending purely on primitive knowledge, poor equipment, and a lot of luck. What are you thinking? What are you going to say to this person who seems to be a living equivalent to a 20th century sonic device for finding fish. Really now, especially you business people here today, you don't have to think. The words are there on your tongue, they tumble out of your mouth almost as a reflex action; "Wow, Lord, you really do have some marvellous power there. What an ability. Look, I'm sold, I'll be your disciple, I'll follow you, whatever you want. But how about we form a sort of partnership. How about every now and then, let's say every day with a "y" in it, you come out and help with a little fishing. We'll clean up! Life will be great!
Isn't this exactly the dream of people today? They don't mind living the sort of life God wants, they don't mind giving money, time and energy as long as there's some return. At the very least though we want our Christian family to be one loving, caring group who all think like we do. We at least expect life to flow smoothly, with our kids not giving us a hard time, and a nice encouraging miracle when we're really in trouble.
So how come Peter is able to keep this normal human reaction so much out of the picture. What a miracle this is! The astounding fact is that Peter the fisherman doesn't even see the fish. Peter can see a much greater miracle. His eyes have focussed on the one who stands before him and he sees the one true God. He catches a glimpse of the miracle of miracles; the incarnation; he sees a God who loves and cares enough for his fallen creatures that he has became a fisherman. His reaction is identical to that of Isaiah who when in a vision he finds himself standing before the throne of God exclaims, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips." Peter echoes "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
The miracle continues to grow - We know Peter's deductions are correct. Peter the rebel stands before his God. He recognizes his unworthiness. And miraculously the perfect God- become-fisherman responds, "Don't be afraid." This Jesus has come to make it possible for all people to stand before their God. He has come to take their sins on himself, enabling human kind tp receive his pure white robe of forgiveness. What a mitacle!
Jesus continues, "from now on you will catch people." The miracles continue to come! Jesus calls Peter to work for him - to become involved in the mission of God's Messiah. God wants to establish a working relationship with this rough, insignificant fisherman.
"So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Here is the amazing climax to this amazing miracle. Whenever naturally inward looking people are moved to leave their needs behind and serve God it's an amazing climax to an amazing miracle. A miracle much more spectacular and worth gasping over than one, two or twenty-two boat loads of fish.
Don't let yourselves be dazzled by miracles of fish. Don't seek, long for, or pray for the god
who performs according to your will. Look past the humanly pleasing actions and see the
one who loves so much that he came as a brother. Marvel as he assures you of his acceptance
as he covers you with the pure white robe of forgiveness. Be astounded as he calls you to
take up your cross, and puts you to work with your Spirit-given gifts in his very own
vineyard, and pray for the miracle of faith that enables you to leave your self centred life and
follow.
© Copyright Rev. K.W. Stiller.