What Will God Make of You?

Luke 5:1-11 NRSVue

Once, while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and 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 way from the shore. Then, he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning 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 that they began to sink. 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!" 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.

The scene in Luke’s Gospel opens with Jesus by the shore of Gennesaret, surrounded by a crowd eager to hear Him. Two boats rest on the shore, their owners washing nets after a night of unproductive fishing. Imagine this: a dimly lit early morning, where tired fishermen Simon and his companions, weary and disappointed, meticulously clean their nets, their primary tool for making a living. This setting illustrates the routines and challenges faced by fishermen—the unpredictability of the sea and their reliance on the day's catch for survival. The lesson that Jesus teaches is not recorded. The important point Luke wants the reader to grasp is that after a night of unsuccessful fishing, Jesus performs a miraculous act that enables Simon Peter and his partners to catch an abundance of fish. This prompts Simon Peter to recognize his own unworthiness and acknowledge Jesus' divine authority. Following this miracle, Jesus invites Simon Peter, along with James and John, to become His disciples and take on the role of "fishers of people.”

The message in Luke 5:4 is particularly poignant when we consider the context of the fishermen's situation. Peter and his fellow fishermen were experts. They had spent an entire night casting their nets, utilizing all their skills and knowledge of the sea, yet they returned empty-handed. Imagine Simon Peter's face full of bewilderment as Jesus instructs him to "put out into the deep water." Despite his expertise and the exhaustion from a night's futile effort, Simon shows a glimmer of reluctant hope. This moment is crucial. It captures the tension between human logic and divine instruction.

When Jesus instructed them to "put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch," they had to step outside their comfort zones and embrace a kind of trust that defied their logical reasoning. At first glance, it might have seemed illogical to venture into deeper waters after a fruitless night, yet they chose to obey nonetheless. Picture the scene as the nets fill with fish in astonishing numbers. The boats are weighed down, and the fishermen scramble to manage the overwhelming catch. This abundance vividly illustrates God’s divine power at work. The fish threaten to sink their boats, serving as a testament to the overwhelming blessings that flow from trust and obedience. Upon witnessing the miracle, Simon Peter falls to his knees before Jesus, overwhelmed not just by the catch but the realization of Jesus's divine authority. Picture Simon’s posture of humility, his head bowed, his voice filled with emotion as he acknowledges his own shortcomings. This act illustrates the intensity of divine encounters and the humility they invoke.

Luke’s narrative serves as instruction and a powerful metaphor for our own lives. We often find ourselves holding tightly to our plans and desires, relying solely on our own understanding and experiences. Yet, like these fishermen, we must realize that our best efforts can sometimes yield little to no results. In a moment like this, the invitation to trust in Jesus is not just about relinquishing control; it’s about embracing a deeper understanding of faith.

Reflecting on our personal lives, we might consider various aspects where we struggle with letting go—be it in our careers, relationships, or personal aspirations. Are there areas where we feel we must maintain control, even when we sense that it’s not working out as we hoped? Jesus' invitation serves as a gentle reminder that surrendering our need for control can often lead to unforeseen blessings and transformations.

Just like Peter, we are called to recognize our own unworthiness in the face of grace. After witnessing this miraculous catch of fish, Peter exclaimed, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" This reaction shows a profound sense of humility and an acknowledgment of his own sinfulness. Such moments underscore the importance of confronting our imperfections and understanding the grace that Jesus offers.

In that grace, Jesus offers us guidance, just as he did Peter and his cohort. When we open ourselves up to possibilities that we may have never considered, we can experience what they did. This doesn’t mean that the path will always be clear or easy, but it does offer the assurance that we are not navigating our circumstances alone. Just as these fishermen found their nets overflowing, Christ offers us abundance when we trust in divine guidance. The question then becomes, how do we find this divine guidance? What must we do individually to be able to seek this gracious gift? Imagine Jesus looking at Simon, James, and John with compassion and purpose. His invitation, "From now on, you will be catching people," marks a transformative moment. The fishermen, their boats still alongside the shore, decide to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. This illustrates the beginning of a new journey - a commitment to a path of teaching and spreading faith.

Many of us feel unworthy of divine love and mercy. Grace invites us to a deeper contemplation of not only embracing forgiveness for ourselves but also the vital practice of extending that same grace to others. When we reflect, we become receptive. Christ, through the Holy Spirit, can cultivate a spirit of compassion and understanding in us, and in turn, we can do the same in our relationships. But nothing can happen until we fall to our knees and confess that we are sinful, that we do not know it all, that our understanding is not the end all, and be all of the universe.

There is a call to action in Luke 5:10: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." Let's think about how we can respond to this important invitation. Just as Simon Peter, James, and John left everything to follow Jesus, we, too, are invited to embark on a transformative journey. An invitation to discipleship invites us to consider what it means to answer Jesus’ call in our everyday lives. How do we embody His love in our interactions? How do we communicate His message to our community? This is not merely a personal journey but a collective challenge offered by Jesus that beckons us to engage in conversation, service, and compassion. As the disciples learned in ministry, we, too, must actively participate in spreading hope and kindness, aligning ourselves with the purpose of drawing others to the embrace of love that Jesus exemplifies. To become fishers of people is to move forward boldly, committed to being instruments of His grace in a world that longs for connection and understanding.

Finally, this passage from Luke's Gospel challenges us to contemplate what God envisions for each of us when we trust in Jesus and recognize our need for His grace. By embracing His call to discipleship, we open ourselves to a fulfillment of His purpose in our lives. This passage challenges us to look inward. Are there areas in your life where you feel the struggle between your own efforts and the call to trust in something greater? Can you illustrate this concept in your personal context: a career decision, a challenging relationship, or personal growth? This narrative is not limited to people who like to fish.  Can you recognize where you can let go of control to embrace the abundance of faith?

As we move forward, let us strive to deepen our trust in God’s plan, allowing Him to mold us into instruments of His love and truth. Reflect on how God is calling you to grow and what He desires for you to become. I encourage you to identify one area in your life where you can surrender to His vision. Also, consider sharing this commitment with a friend or family member. Just as Peter, James, and John moved forward together, let us support one another in embracing the transformative journey of faith that God has in store for us.

Citations

◦       The illustrations[1] provided here are based on the interpretation of Luke 5:1-11 from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue).

[1] The narrative woven through Luke's Gospel is a tapestry of vivid imagery and profound metaphor, inviting readers into a world brimming with trust, humility, and the call to discipleship. Luke’s approach is not only rich in emotional depth but also marked by a logical and strategic coherence that guides the reader through each passage. Each illustration bursts with life, crafted to not only enrich our understanding but to spark deep reflection on the powerful messages embedded within the text. This careful blend of intellect and artistry draws us in, urging us to explore the depths of faith and the essence of following a higher path. May your spiritual journey be just as vivid and enlightening.