The Pressing Crowd - LK 5:1-11

Scripture Reading: Lk 5:1-11

Summary of Lectionary Texts and BLUF

Good Morning my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Hearers of the Good News,

On this fifth Sunday after Epiphany God’s call pervades today’s scripture readings highlighting that God uses all kinds of people in all kinds of situations and circumstances to reveal His glory. “Who will go for us?” queries the voice of the Lord; and a man of unclean lips exclaims, “Here am I; send me!” And Paul, a former persecutor of the church of God, recognizes that his call to proclaim God’s message is a gift of grace that allows him to do what he was created to do; a beautiful truth echoed in today’s Psalm: “The Lord will fulfill [God’s] purpose for me. ()” And what about the fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing, and yet they are invited to enlist in a mission much larger than themselves. The story in is about the beginning of a life-changing journey for Jesus and his future disciples, including you and me.

But before we delve into the text and uncover its meaning for us today, join me in asking God to open our hearts, our minds, and souls in the revelation of His Word. Let us pray...

“Who will go for us?” queries the voice of the Lord. A man of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising, still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

continues to highlight unlikely instruments and circumstances appointed to reveal the glory of the Lord. “Who will go for us?” queries the voice of the Lord. A man of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising, still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

A man of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising, still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

,a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising, still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising, still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

Throughout this season after Epiphany, scripture reminds us of the myriad ways that God calls each and every one of us. It also reminds us of the challenge we face, even when we gladly answer, and quickly follow, that call

Prayer

Before we delve into God’s Word, join me in prayer.

Center us, O God on your Holy Word and let your Spirit come. Come Holy Spirit Come! (2X) ...And fall afresh on us. May the Words of your Scripture open our hearts, our minds, and our souls so that we may more fully understand what it means to be called Your disciples and to go where you lead. O'Lord, may my preparation be worthy to you. Speak now either through me or in spite of me. Either way, reveal your Glory! And all of this we pray in the Jesus’ name. Amen.

Introductory Story

After the temptation of the devil in , Jesus began to teach in the synagogues. He reveals what he is going to do in his ministry, reading the scroll of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (). After he proclaims that this Scripture is fulfilled, he teaches the crowd, heals the sick, casts out the demons, and preaches the good news of the kingdom of God. Thus, the pressing crowd gathers around Jesus in .

APPLICATION QUESTION

Introductory Story

This past weekend, my family I watched the movie McFarland USA, which is a true story about a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high school in California. In the opening scenes of the movie, Kevin Costner’s character, Jim White, who is a dedicated coach trying to shape the character of the next generation, is ushered out an a-fluent community for letting his temper rise as he upheld his moral teaching. In pursuit of a job, the only school that would hire him is a poor, Latino picker community in California.

Interestingly, as we open to today’s Gospel lesson, we need to remember that in the previous chapter Jesus, who had been teaching in the synagogues, dropped the proverbial mic when he opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” ().

And what did the people do? They tried to throw him off a cliff. Needless to say, he too was ushered out of the community, but different from Jim White’s a-fluent community, for Jesus it was the religious elites. Such a stunt would assure that Jesus never to get hired as Rabbi in a big important center-city synagogue. Instead, he was relegated to lowly work of a traveling, itinerate preacher who in turn makes the world his parish.

community never to be a Rabbi in a big important center-city synagogue. He was relegated to lowly work of a traveling, itinerate preacher who in turn makes the world his parish.

After the temptation of the devil in , Jesus began to teach in the synagogues. He reveals what he is going to do in his ministry, reading the scroll of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (). After he proclaims that this Scripture is fulfilled, he teaches the crowd, heals the sick, casts out the demons, and preaches the good news of the kingdom of God. Thus, the pressing crowd gathers around Jesus in .

The rest of the chapter four reveals the beginning of Jesus ministry as he fulfills his proclamation; he teaches the crowd, heals the sick, casts out the demons, and preaches the good news of the kingdom of God. Now, we find Jesus standing beside the water and the crowd is seemingly pressing in around Him.

APPLICATION QUESTION

The Scriptures remind us that the harvest is plentiful, yet they are not here. So then, how are we (who are called) find “the crowds that are pressing in” wanting to hear the word of God?

helps Peter to understand who Jesus is and compels him to repent on his knees ().

But, couldn’t we also hone our focus to the miracle of the great catch and ....

Is it a Call Narrative, a miracle story, or story about Discipleship? Well, you could say all of the above and be correct, but “the theme of discipleship provides a theological anchor for this story about the fishermen and their experience with Jesus.” FotW, Yr C, Vol1. pg 333 Exe Perspective. Byron, Gay.

“Discipleship…is best understood as the act of teaching and learning, leading and following. It is a two-way process that involves an invitation and a response.” “…discipleship calls for obedience to and recognition of a divine power and source of authority beyond human strength, knowledge, and will. The encounter between Jesus and Simon indicates that discipleship is risky business...” FotW, 335

This story in , when paired with its Old Testament lectionary text from Isaiah, challenges us to reflect on God’s call in our lives; especially since it is here in this passage that Jesus calls his first disciples. But, couldn’t we also hone our focus on the miraculous catch of fish and how this amazing act helps Peter, and us, to understand who Jesus is and compels a soul to repent. However, the catch of the fish proves irrelevant since Peter leaves the fish and 'everything' behind when he begins to follow Jesus ().

The story relates Peter's call to a new life and new vocation. While Wesley believed that all Christians were called to witness to Christ, he also recognized that God sometimes places a special call upon some individuals

helps Peter to understand who Jesus is and compels him to repent on his knees ().

However, the catch of the fish proves irrelevant since Peter leaves the fish and 'everything' behind when he begins to follow Jesus (). The story relates Peter's call to a new life and new vocation. While Wesley believed that all Christians were called to witness to Christ, he also recognized that God sometimes places a special call upon some individuals

Is it a call narrative, or a miracle story, or this story about discipleship? Well, you could say all of the above and be correct, but “the theme of discipleship provides a theological anchor for this story about the fishermen and their experience with Jesus.” FotW, Yr C, Vol1. pg 333 Exe Perspective. Byron, Gay. “Discipleship…is best understood as the act of teaching and learning, leading and following. It is a two-way process that involves an invitation and a response.” “…discipleship calls for obedience to and recognition of a divine power and source of authority beyond human strength, knowledge, and will. The encounter between Jesus and Simon-Peter indicates that discipleship is risky business...” FotW, 335

“Discipleship…is best understood as the act of teaching and learning, leading and following. It is a two-way process that involves an invitation and a response.” “…discipleship calls for obedience to and recognition of a divine power and source of authority beyond human strength, knowledge, and will. The encounter between Jesus and Simon indicates that discipleship is risky business...” FotW, 335

Where is God in this passage?

Where is God’s will and activities being expressed?

See What Matters

A striking moment came after Jesus’ preaching. He turned to Peter and said, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” What we know in this story is that Peter worked hard all night and caught nothing. At such a time of loss, he would not have let Jesus use his boat, but he took Jesus on his boat. After preaching, Jesus asked him to cast the nets. As a Galilean, Peter, a fisherman, might have known that Jesus was a carpenter. He might have thought that a carpenter did not know anything about fishing. But he surrendered his prejudice and let down the nets. Peter was the one who sat on the boat with Jesus while he was preaching and heard the good news of Jesus. Peter thought he could rely on him, so he said, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” We experience God’s miracles when we rely on the word of God beyond our prejudice and profession. The catch Peter had might be unprecedented. Because of the large number of fishes, their nets were beginning to break.

In a similar story in , Jesus met Peter again after the Resurrection while he was fishing. Jesus said, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in, because there were so many fish. It was full of large fish, with a count of 153. Fishermen counted when they caught fish. Counting blessings is what we do when we are blessed. Everyone in the scene of would count and were amazed at what they caught. Then, what would you say to Jesus? You would say, “Thank you very much.” But Peter was different. He fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Simon Peter acknowledged that Jesus is the Lord and that he (Peter) was a sinner. He saw the more important matter than fishes, which was knowing that he was a sinful man who could not be with the Lord on the same place. This miracle brought Peter to understand both his own sinfulness and Christ’s holiness.[2]

A faith journey starts with a confession, proclaiming who Jesus is and knowing who we are. Peter would say he is a fisherman when people asked who he was. You might say to people, “I am a businessman or a businesswoman, a technician or an engineer, a farmer, or a fisherman” based on your profession. But what would tell Jesus who you are?

What doe the passage mean to me?

What does it mean for my relationship with God and other people?

This transition challenges us to move from the church to the marketplace. Unless we move to the marketplace, we can’t see the crowd. The gospel also should not be confined inside the temple, the synagogues, or the churches, but it must be heard in the marketplace where the people are. Jesus always welcomed and spoke to people about the kingdom of God. He fed the crowd of 5,000 men at one time () and the crowd of 4,000 men at another time (). Today’s passage didn’t mention how many people had gathered, but we could imagine a huge crowd. I often wonder how Jesus could have preached to the multitude without a microphone or any audio systems.

Jesus is so creative in articulating the messages into their lives in the parables. We don’t know what message Jesus taught in this passage, but Luke describes how Jesus creatively uses this circumstance to meet the needs of the crowd and of the very exhausted Simon Peter: “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.” Jesus is probably the only one who preached to the crowds from the boat. Our Christian DNA is to preach the word of God creatively in any circumstance, as John Wesley preached on his father’s graveyard at Epworth, England. Wesley used his father’s tombstone in the churchyard as a pulpit. For Jesus, his church is the lakeside and the open road, and his pulpit is a boat.[1] Jesus and John Wesley challenge us not to wait for people in the church, but to see all the people beyond the church walls.

Reflection on how culture and church can live out what the passage is saying.

God word is … “Calling, pulling, pushing us outward toward new and boundless horizons. Freeing us from our nets.” FotW, Yr C, Vol1. pg 336 Theo Perspective. Ostendorf, David.

In a similar story in , Jesus met Peter again after the Resurrection while he was fishing. Jesus said, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in, because there were so many fish. It was full of large fish, with a count of 153. Fishermen counted when they caught fish. Counting blessings is what we do when we are blessed. Everyone in the scene of would count and were amazed at what they caught. Then, what would you say to Jesus? You would say, “Thank you very much.” But Peter was different. He fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Simon Peter acknowledged that Jesus is the Lord and that he (Peter) was a sinner. He saw the more important matter than fishes, which was knowing that he was a sinful man who could not be with the Lord on the same place. This miracle brought Peter to understand both his own sinfulness and Christ’s holiness.[2]

It is up to us whether the encounter with Jesus is a one-time event or an eternal one. Jesus’ answer to Peter, who asked him to leave, is an invitation: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” Then Simon Peter and his partners, James and John, left the fishes and everything else and followed Jesus. Among the crowd, many who heard the preaching of Jesus and saw the power of Jesus, considered this event a time of amazement only. But a few knew the higher purpose beyond the blessings as the call to discipleship. What is your purpose in life, in business, and in ministry? Discipleship is not adding something, but subtracting to focus on the higher purpose of “catching people.

A faith journey starts with a confession, proclaiming who Jesus is and knowing who we are. Peter would say he is a fisherman when people asked who he was. You might say to people, “I am a businessman or a businesswoman, a technician or an engineer, a farmer, or a fisherman” based on your profession. But what would tell Jesus who you are?

The challenges for the churches and congregations in was to go to the marketplaces to see all the people, preach the good news of Jesus Christ, and invite them to the higher purpose. It was to dream big for God, see what people don’t see, find the meaning of life, change the priority in life, and become a disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Extra:

More surprising, still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

Throughout this season after Epiphany, scripture reminds us of the myriad ways that God calls each and every one of us. It also reminds us of the challenge we face, even when we gladly answer, and quickly follow, that call

After he

The Pressing Crowd - LK 5:1-11

Introduction

Exegetical: Basic information - background, meaning, etc.

Theological

WHERE?

Pastoral

SO WHAT?

From Synagogue to Marketplace

Homiletical / Conclusion

SO NOW WHAT?

Called to a Higher Purpose

The Pressing Crowd - LK 5:1-11

Introduction

Exegetical: Basic information - background, meaning, etc.

​

Theological

WHERE?

Pastoral

SO WHAT?

From Synagogue to Marketplace

Homiletical / Conclusion

SO NOW WHAT?

Called to a Higher Purpose