Luke 5:1-11

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 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.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 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.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled 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.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 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 fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Reflect:

While many Jews doubted Jesus, choosing to believe their own beliefs and biases over His message, there were some who believed and responded in faith. As we can see in today’s passage, how different is the response of Simon Peter compared to the unbelieving Jews! We can contrast his response to Jesus to what we read about in Day 1 (Luke 5:1-11).

The Jews who heard Jesus’ message in Luke 5:1-11 were unable to overcome their preconceived notions and biases about Jesus. They could not see past the absurdity of the neighborhood boy as the ‘bread of life.’ Ultimately, it can be said that they did not recognize who Jesus really was and their grumbling sums up their attitude and doubts.

Jesus also confronts Simon with something ‘absurd.’ In this story we see how Jesus, a carpenter, tells Simon, a professional fisherman, to put out his nets for fish. Simon certainly knew more fish would likely be caught after dark. Essentially, Jesus tells Simon to do something that in a fisherman’s opinion would be pointless. But in contrast to the unbelieving Jews, he was able to see past his own preconceived notions and beliefs. He followed Jesus’ direction, even though it went against what he knew best. Simon’s response showed that he had caught a glimpse of who Jesus really was. As the nets began to break, Simon’s instant reaction was to see himself in light of God’s holiness. His humble response is in stark contrast to the grumbling of the unbelieving Jews!

Respond:

Today, are there areas in our hearts that are grumbling and doubting Jesus’ call? Let’s let go of our doubts and biases. May we readily respond to Jesus’ call in faith and obedience. In the end, the unbelieving Jews missed not only Jesus’ message, but they missed his invitation to receive and experience true life. For Simon, his encounter with the Lord was the beginning of discipleship. It was the beginning of a new life of purpose and calling. As we pray today, let’s ask for the obedience and humility that Simon demonstrated, let’s pray for a new openness in our hearts to take Jesus at his word and to respond to the called life.