Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 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.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
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.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 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.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 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.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
To some, Jesus is a teacher. To others, He is master. Then He becomes Lord.
Simon’s (Peter’s) relationship with Jesus as related in Luke begins with obedience. Some new teacher shows up and wants to do a beach bible study. Probably a youth pastor. Simon dutifully rows out a few boat lengths and likely gets back to picking crud out of his nets while this rabbi (youth pastor) makes himself comfortable in the boat does a rabbi thing. Except maybe it sounds a little different. Maybe it has a different flavor. Or maybe Simon (Peter) is bored with his nets and the words from this guy (youth pastor) land in a new way. Who knows?
The lesson ends and Simon (Peter) grabs the oars with calloused hands and points the boat towards the shore. “We’re not going there. I’d like to go out there. I’d like you to fish.” It’s a very youth-pastor thing to do. And Simon (Peter) complains at first but follows instructions.
And against all experience and reason, the fishermen make a killing. They catch two boats worth of fish. They boats were so full, they started to sink. Against all experience and reason. All because Jesus said, “We’re going out deeper.” And all because it was Jesus.
Simon (Peter) immediately grasps that this is bigger than a fishing trip. That this rabbi is more than a youth pastor. That this is a significant experience and he falls flat on his face in a boat full of fish and repents. And that is when the master became Lord.
Jesus doesn’t call Simon (Peter) in Luke’s gospel like He does in the others. If there’s a call here, it’s subtle. It begins when Jesus chooses his boat and takes shape when Jesus tells him to take it out to deeper water. Simon (Peter) answers that call by taking the boat out. Everything from then on is a result of calling Him Lord.
So what is He to you now? Is He a teacher? Is He master? Or is He Lord? How do you know the difference?
Reflect:
On what is probably a familiar story to you. On anything that emerged for you in this reading that you haven’t noticed before.
Journal:
On how your understanding of (and therefore relationship with) Jesus has evolved over the years. Can you identify the teacher stage? The master stage? The Lord stage? What needs to happen so that you can move toward Jesus as Lord?
Pray:
For growth in your understanding. For a deeper relationship with Jesus. For the humility, authenticity, and courage that is demonstrated in these verses.