What to Do

Fishermen

In contrast to Mark’s account, Luke tries to explain why the disciples follow Jesus. How do you fish? Are you a good fisherman? Does it interest you at all? In this story Jesus goes to the professionals, fisherman washing their nets. Do you know why they were washing their nets? In this passage the idea of catching men is translated more like “to take alive”

The problem that the story has is trying to teach professionals anything new about what they feel they know better than you. Luke 5:3 (NRSV)

3 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. The teacher makes an action statement. While the professionals were cleaning their nets Jesus steps in. This reminds me of the priests stepping into the Jordan. Joshua 3:8–13 (NRSV)

8 You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’ ” 9 Joshua then said to the Israelites, “Draw near and hear the words of the Lord your God.” 10 Joshua said, “By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites: 11 the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. 12 So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap.”

So, isn’t the conflict here that the people must do as instructed by their leader Joshua, who heard from God? If we look back to our passage today we can identify when and what the conflicts were: Jesus sat in the boat and taught. Simon seemed to know that Jesus was a teacher and had no problem pushing out from shore, nor was he especially conflicted with Jesus sitting down, but when Jesus is done teaching by word of mouth the next steps require participation and then you see the conflict. Luke 5:4 (NRSV)

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” The teacher was doing good up until now in Simon’s opinion, but now Jesus obviously does not understand the concept of fishing. Simon does this for his livelihood. The teacher can teach about the law but Simon knows better than the teacher how to catch fish.

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible A. Proclamation of Good News in Galilee (4:14–5:16)

Peter’s query about letting down the nets (vv. 4–5) is understandable because the best fishing in deep water was done at night, and during the day they fished in shallow water.

Luke 5:5 (NRSV)

5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” Peter gives into his hunch that they are not going to catch anything and lowers his nets. This is us giving into the will of God. Even when we are convinced that nothing will come of it. I especially identify with the tired mourn coming from deep inside a tired fisherman (Simon) as he replies, “we have worked all night long but have caught nothing” can re relate to what Simon is telling the teacher?

Luke 5:6 (NRSV)

6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. The payoff for dropping the nets is an abundance of fish, so many that the nets were breaking. Is it possible that the answer to our prayers concerning growing our church is to follow the teacher’s recommendations? The priests had to listen and do as they were told. The people witnessed a miracle that day as the Ark of the Covenant stood in the middle of the Jordan and the people crossed on dry land. Everyone witnessed an abundance of God’d hands at work.

Luke 5:7 (NRSV)

7 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. The excitement spreed quickly as the fishermen on the shore witnessed the great catch. They came together in excitement and shared in the harvest. Excitement brings more to gather at the site of the miracle and that is how the harvest grew. The only other thing that the fishermen needed to understand was that this was not of their doing. Remember they were the professional fisherman, yet the teacher has brought the great harvest.

Luke 5:8 (NRSV)

8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” At this point Simon Peter realizes that the teacher is more than he originally thought. Perhaps the fish in our community are more willing to come to the harvest than we know. Do we know more than the teacher? Simon realizes that he is in the presence of Holiness and begs for Jesus to back away. In other words I’m not worthy.

So, why did Jesus go to fishermen, professionals at catching fish to make his point? I believe it is because He knew that the men were so experienced at catching fish that they would see the miracle in what Jesus did. If it were anyone lesser the point would not have landed the impact that he needed to land. The impact was a conversion of people who could fish, but now they will fish for men. You are all good people professionals, yet Jesus is calling you to be a professional for Him.

Luke 5:9–11 (NRSV)

9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 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.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. What do you say, lets go fishing!