Time To Go To Work

Introduction

Simon’s first encounter with Jesus did not result in full-blown discipleship. Definitely, Simon was impressed with Jesus. Jesus left his mark on the soul of Simon. While Simon becomes a disciple, he doesn’t immediately become an apostle. There is a period of time in which Simon, Andrew, James, and John go back to their fishing business. They believe in Jesus. They see him as a teacher and as one who is to be respected. They may even see him as the Messiah, but their association with him has not yet progressed to the point of them leaving everything in order to be with Jesus. That comes in tonight’s story from Luke.

The Story

Jesus’ ministry has begun. Jesus has started looking for ways to teach in the Galilee area. Word about one who teaches in ways never before heard are spreading. People are curious about this new preacher. Throughout Galilee, the name of Jesus is synonymous with a new movement. As of yet there are no clear disciples. There are plenty of curiosity seekers. In Luke 5 we find such an example. Luke has several designations for groups in his gospel account. One of those labels is “people.” This label is different from disciple or apostle. These are those who are interested in what Jesus has to say, but they are not ready to commit to Jesus. Not yet.

Simon, Andrew, James, and John we are told are in business together. They are fishermen and they have spent the entire night fishing. They have not caught anything. Hard work produced only negative results. These four fishermen are not part of this crowd. They are bystanders. They are busy washing their nets. They are accustomed to seeing the crowds surround Jesus. They have heard some of his teaching before. We are not told what Jesus is saying, but we are told that the four fishermen are busy washing nets when Jesus arrives and commissions Simon’s boat for service. The crowd is pressing so that we can see that Jesus is having a hard time keeping dry. Jesus’s feet are moving from sand to seawater and he needs a place where he can teach without concern about his physical safety.

So Jesus calls Simon from the washing his nets and asks him to push away from the shore just a bit so he can teach this crowd. Simon complies. He willingly participates in this excursion. Simon’s respect for Jesus is high. But Simon is a fisherman. He has a job to do. He is tired and worn out from a night of fishing. Jesus sits down on the boat and begins to teach the crowd. We are not told what Jesus said, nor about the crowd’s reaction. What we are told is that when Jesus is finished speaking he asks Simon to take his boat further out from shore. Not only does he want Simon to further out from the shore but he wants Simon to fish.

Simon’s use of the word “Master” reveals the respect he has for Jesus. He regards Jesus as having some kind of authority. This is another way to say “teacher.” It is a term of respect and loyalty. Simon, Andrew, James, and John row further out from the shore. You can hear Simon all the way out. “Look we have worked hard all night. We are tired. We are worn out. The best fishing is at night. With the water getting hotter from the sun, the fish will go deeper and our efforts will be worthless.” But don’t miss the kicker. “But because you say so…” That’s the response Jesus is looking for. Simon recognizes that Jesus is special. This isn’t said with a wink. This is a statement of obedience.

Simon and Andrew throw out their nets. Quickly, they catch a load of fish. It is such a huge load that they signal to James and John to come with their boat and help them. The nets are so heavy that the cords begin to strain and fray with the weight. Even with two boats the load is so much that the boats begin to sink from the weight. Unlike modern boats, these boats would not have had high side walls. The walls of the boat would have been just a foot or so above sea level. So with this huge load of fish the walls of the boat begin to sink below the water level resulting in water being taken on the boat.

Simon and his partners are overwhelmed. Surprised is an understatement. They are experienced fishermen. After a night of fishing with only poor results, they catch a load based on the recommendation of a carpenter. Jesus has no training in fishing. So Simon does the only thing he knows to do — he asks Jesus to leave. Jesus makes Simon and the others a promise instead. “Don’t be afraid of me. This is only the beginning of great things. There are bigger things to do. Stay with me and you will learn even greater things. Follow me.” And immediately Simon, Andrew, James, and John pull their boats on the shore. Leave behind the biggest catch of their lives and walk away.

Application

So what does this story teach us about Peter and our connection to Jesus? Some want to take this story and make the point that we are to be fishers of men just like Peter. But we must recognize that this is a story demonstrating Jesus’s desire to call just these four to that role. He had a whole crowd of people to make that point and chose not to do so. He wanted these four to take that role. That is not to say that we are not to look for others to bring to Jesus but that is not the point of this story. It’s important for Luke to demonstrate that in order for these four to become fishers of men they had to leave everything. But this brings us to the main point of this episode.

Anyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus must be sure that Jesus is central to his life. The crowd was curious, but they weren’t ready to be disciples. Peter was interested in discipleship but he wasn’t ready to be an apostle. Jesus wanted to capture Peter’s attention and not let him go. Peter in that encounter with Jesus was convinced that he needed Jesus more than Jesus needed him.

That is the centrality of Jesus in our lives. When we recognize that we need Jesus because of who he is, then we are ready to be disciples. Jesus came to influence people. Peter was overwhelmed by Jesus. Until we recognize that we need Jesus, he only holds passing interest for us. Absolutely nothing must distract us. What Peter learned was that wherever Jesus went he wanted to be with him. He didn’t want to fish anymore. He wanted to be with Jesus. That same kind of intensity is what this story is about.

Luke wrote this story to tell his readers how Jesus began to bring men together to be apostles, but there is an element of intensity that he wants his readers to not only understand but to match. Luke is showing what it means to be a Christian. Following Jesus so that nothing comes between you and him is what is meant. “From now on” signals a break with the past. Peter is a changed man and all who come to Jesus are changed. From now on is a statement that the past is going to be left behind. The future is what matters. Will you come to Jesus and leave behind your past? Who will have said about them “from now on, things will be different?”

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