The transforming power of grace.

Luke 5:1-11

Introduction

Fishing communities from Newlyn to Anstruthers have a proud history of passing the business down through the family; they hold the sea in respect for it not only provides their livelihood and their reason for existence, but it can all too easily snatch it away.  So our story from Luke’s gospel is of a fishing community and tells of a time when some fishermen had worked all night without result, and what happened when Jesus came along. Simon Peter owned a boat, as did Zebedee, father to James and John,  and whilst it is unlikely that they were wealthy people, it seemed as though they were able to ply a good trade because good fish were always in demand. 

• Obedience

If you have time, its worth looking carefully at this story of the calling of the disciples in Luke’s Gospel, because Luke does something unusual: both Matthew and Mark place this story very early in their accounts, but Luke doesn’t. Luke takes us through some very important events in the life of Christ: Jesus’ baptism (3:21-22), his temptation in the wilderness (4:1-13), his inaugural sermon and rejection at Nazareth (4:16-30), and a series of healings (4:31-41). More immediately, there is a series of events that includes his going to a deserted place to be alone, his being sought out by crowds of people, and his teaching in synagogues (4:42-44).  You get a sense that there has been a little time for the fishermen to get to know Jesus a little or perhaps to have caught stories about him. In other words:

The calling of the disciples is different in Luke in that Jesus is already a well-known teacher and healer. In fact, before Simon follows Jesus, he has already hosted him for dinner, and Jesus has healed his mother-in-law. After that healing, there is no response from Simon. It is not until after this teaching and catch that Simon finally follows. I think there is a misconception that all the disciples just picked up and followed Jesus immediately, without any knowledge. We often understand them to make these giant leaps of faith. Luke tells the story differently, though. Simon has a relationship and knowledge on which to base this life-changing decision.

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On this occasion, Jesus commissions them to launch out into the deep, and they go.  There is no hint of bargaining – Simon, James and John are portrayed as obedient to Jesus (5:5). Yet, as an experienced fisherman, Simon Peter has really nothing much to learn about his trade, particularly from someone who doesn’t share his level of knowledge of fishing (and Simon usually has something to say!).  Yet after an initial remonstration, Simon uses the beautiful phrase ‘yet at your word’ …

I wonder how easy it is for us to hear the voice of God, and respond: yet at your word…? Does this kind of trust require an in-depth relationship with Jesus, and how well developed who you feel that relationship to be?

• Abundance

In this story, Simon describes himself as a sinner, yet Jesus doesn’t ask him to repent and sin no more; instead Jesus asks him to become a fisher of people.  Perhaps this is more about Simon’s sense of unworthiness, which is really helpful for us, because we too might struggle and feel have little to offer Jesus.

The thing is, when Simon together with the other disciples all play their part, the boat is full of fish. Some of our churches have been looking at heir sense of mission, especially as we begin to emerge from the last two years. Most are feeling that we have seen little in the way of abundance recently, and for some it has raised the question ‘so where are we going wrong?’  However, please note that while this story deals with abundance, when the Rich Young Ruler left the conversation with Jesus without making a commitment, there was heartache.

We will continue to pray for an abundance of people seeking to follow Christ, we will continue to work to extend God’s kingdom, and we will do so with our partners.  But at the end of the day, we are called to be faithful, and to work within the grace of God and await the abundance that God chooses to bestow.

• Possessions

In the meantime, let me ask another question:

How big is your boat?  The internet can be an amazing thing for exploring 1st century fishing boats on the Sea of Galilee. in 1986, an extraordinary archaeological find revealed these craft to be 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.3 feet high, giving us a pretty good idea of the size of Simon Peter’s boat.  (If you are at all prone to sea-sickness, I wouldn’t look too carefully at the pictures of these tiny craft, especially in a storm!)  Even so, it would hold a lot of fish, and according to Luke the little fishing fleet had to rush to their aid and all the boats were full to sinking point.  (5:11)

More importantly, what would it have taken to get its crew simply to walk away from it and the livelihood it must have represented? Here are people who leave behind a very profitable business, their possessions, and their homes to go with an itinerant rabbi.

So, if you have worked out how big your boat is, what is it that will get you out of your comfort zone?  In other words, what family ties, what responsibilities and what possessions, might be holding you back from full obedience?

In fact, we read in the Gospel of Matthew (this story is in all the Gospels) that Zebedee, the father of two of the fishermen-turned-disciples, ‘stayed in the boat’.  Here was the one who stayed behind to ensure the livelihood of the community; to sell the fish, clean the nets and so on.  Thank God for those whose calling permits us to get up and follow the challenge – but don’t let that be our excuse for not responding to God either!

• The presence of God or Where is the profound sense of awe?

One of the most powerful moments in this tale is the profound sense of awe when Simon Peter experienced the presence and power of God in Jesus’ mighty work (Luke 5:1-11). When we meet with Jesus, where is the profound sense of awe? Simon was struck by his sense of unworthiness and describes himself as a sinner (5:8). Probably not the first word that springs to mind these days, but I quite like the way that (Eugene Peterson

One of the most powerful moments in this tale is the profound sense of awe when Simon Peter experienced the presence and power of God in Jesus’ mighty work (Luke 5:1-11). When we meet with Jesus, where is the profound sense of awe? Simon was struck by his sense of unworthiness and describes himself as a sinner (5:8). Probably not the first word that springs to mind these days, but I quite like the way that Eugene Peterson (The Message) frames Simon’s words:

Lord, I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.   

I guess that this has a resonance for many, when you might feel like an imposter.

But Jesus doesn’t leave Simon; he just tells him not to be afraid, from now on there is another job for him. And God has a job for each and every one of us too. When Simon cried out in despair when he realises his limitations and unworthiness, God answered with compassion.  And at that moment Simon stopped addressing Jesus as ‘Master’ and called him ‘Lord’.

And the Lord comes with a challenge for us today.  We are called as a community of believers and entrusted with the good news about Jesus.  So, it is over to you and me.  To take the presence of God into all the places where we will go this week: school, work, doctors’ surgery, post office, coffee morning.  May the gracious presence of God break out in our communities this coming week!