Being Engaged

Luke 5:1–11 NRSV

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Are you happy with your life? Do you have a sense of purpose, a direction?

Has anyone caught any fish lately? How’d you do it?

What does it mean for us to show up and choose our calling? How would you know when you’re doing that?

A little context on this passage.

A quick reminder of where we were last week — this story comes nearly after the encounter in the synagogue of Nazareth. But there are a couple of interludes that set up our text today.

First, after Jesus slips away from the angry mob who feel offended at Jesus’ warning that it is not the insiders, but outsiders, who God’s action takes place through, after this, he heads to Capernaum. Now, it’s important to note the sequence of events here, because Capernaum featured in the questioning from the people at the synagogue. Remember: “do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.”

Luke’s narrative actually says that Jesus’ visit is the next event along his journey of ministry. Not to get distracted by discrepancies like this, I highlight it because the other Gospel writers tell the story in a different order. Mark, the earliest written Gospel, tells of this or a similar healing in the opening chapter of his book. Luke and Matthew, which rely on a shared textual source, called Q, tell the story a little later. One commentator notes that while Mark’s gospel envisions Jesus as heralding a coming, but not yet Kingdom, Luke’s story has a different take, highlighting the growth of Jesus’ ministry and the expanding fame of his actions.

Second, in our text today, we hear that Jesus hops right into a boat along the shore and asks its captain to push out into the water a bit. I don’t know about you, but I grew up in a town, much like here, where there is a harbor with many fishing boats moored. You don’t just go down to a random dock and start untying a boat. Stop right there!

No, the narrative order is important here, too. Jesus has just been in Simon’s home, just versus back, and he has healed many people there, including Simon’s mother-in-law.

Now, taking the boat makes sense. The crowds have grown, Jesus is more established, and he’s gathering supportive helpers to strengthen and propel his ministry.

Ok, so we get to the story.

Simon is cleaning out his nets. He and his crew are clearly finishing up for the day.

Jesus sits down and teaches at the shoreline to the gathering crowd.

Luke doesn’t tell us about what is taught. We can only guess that Jesus message includes echoes of his previous teaching — setting captives free, proclaiming jubilee, warning the insiders and welcoming the outsiders.

His message is clearly compelling, because people are following him, sitting with him, listening.

He finishes speaking. The cool morning water is calmly lapping along the shore.

And he turns to Simon and says, let’s go. Put out into the deep. Go out to discover. Take a leap with me.

Remember my opening questions:

Are you happy with your life? Do you have a sense of purpose, a direction?

Has anyone caught any fish lately? How’d you do it?

What does it mean for us to show up and choose our calling? How would you know when you’re doing that?

I know that not many of you are out in the boat these days, fishing for your dinner and your living.

And so maybe you’re like me, and you hear a version of this story once more, and you kind of sit there and wonder — so what — what does it really look like for me to fish for people? Does that analogy even work any more for us?

Maybe you’ve tried reaching out to others. Maybe you’ve cast your nets. Maybe you’re like Simon and you’re simply tired and don’t know if you can try another time, at least right now.

I feel that way, often. Like you keep repeating the same routine, over and again, and you begin to wonder if anything will change. Will anything come of the work?

I would completely understand Simon’s skepticism in this moment. Vs. 5, we hear Simon’s response to Jesus’ instruction. He says, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet, if you say so, I will let down the nets.”

“Yet…”

Alright, if you say so.

How often, in our comfort and certainty, do we feel this skepticism? Ok, if you say so. I don’t believe you, but alright.

Simon’s first word to Jesus, “master”, tells me something about that reluctance or skepticism. Many times through the Gospels, Jesus’ followers refer to him as Teacher or Rabbi. There is a deference here to his position as a spiritual teacher.

But Simon uses the word Master to respond to Jesus. Even though Simon has been witness to Jesus’ healing power already, with his mother-in-law’s healing just moments ago in the narrative, even though — Simon is skeptical. Master, Epistata, means overseer or commander. Captain, perhaps. It has a ring of formality to it, lacking the intimacy of rabbi or teacher. And as I read it, I hear Simon’s reluctance, but resignation to obey the order of authority here. Not spiritual authority, not yet at least, but an authority given to Jesus because he has clearly garnered some interest and support.

The story continues. The fish overwhelm the nets. More partners are summoned to help pull in the catch.

Jesus’ miracles overwhelm our expectations.

And here, in my opinion, is the moment of turn that opens up this text.

We have Simon’s response. And, in this case, for the first time, Luke calls him Simon Peter. A change is occuring. Simon Peter falls to the ground before Jesus and says, “Go away from me, Lord…” (Lord, kyrios — no longer Master or commander). “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

Jesus uses a miracle to show the fishermen that he has authority, not only over healing or words or teaching, but authority over the fish of the sea and the moving of the natural world. Jesus’ miracles are much greater than we imagine.

Do you feel like Simon Peter? I know I do.

As Jesus invites me to cast out my nets, to share the good news, I feel skepticism and reluctance — how could it work, how could God move?

I also feel like Simon Peter in concern about whether I or we are good enough. We see the real way Jesus miraculously changes the trajectory of our lives…but wonder if we’re good enough to receive it.

Let me put it plainly — Jesus is overwhelming these fishermen with a catch that should not happen, but does.

And Simon’s response is to drop to his knees. Simon Peter is overwhelmed by the example of providing love and miraculous grace that Jesus offers here.

Simon is a sinful man.

He knows his brokenness.

But what Jesus shows him, in this moment, it engages him, it captivates his heart. He is awakened, first to his sin, but then, to his glorious calling.

Jesus responds — as he does again and again to us all — and says, “Do not be afraid.”

And then he calls Peter, James, and John, the fishermen, to come, and follow him. No longer will they be devoting themselves to this grind of fishing and hauling and net-cleaning and selling, and fishing and hauling…no.

Now, it is the overwhelming gathering of people, the expansion of this good news of God’s coming kingdom, this is what the men are now called to do — go, build this. Follow me, Jesus says.

This morning, I want us to close with a little unision reading from our morning Psalm. If you would, please grab your blue pew Bible and turn to Psalm 138, which you will find on page 577.

How do we respond when we are called?

How do we respond when we are shown the goodness of God and offered the invitation to take part in it?

This Psalm is a prayer for the blessing of our work, the affirmation of our calling to love God, love each other, and help each other love God.

I want to invite us to pray this prayer, this Psalm together. Let it be a psalm of saying “yes” to God’s calling upon us, God’s call to share the good news, to gather together in Christ’s name.

God, establish and bless the work of our hands. Let us pray together.

Closing Prayer, Psalm 138

Psalm 138 NRSV

Of David. I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.