Reflection on Luke: 5.1-10
Luke 5:1-10
This Gospel reading is no less chaotic than the scene in Nazareth which precedes it. The crowds are pressing in on Jesus to the extent that he finds it necessary to launch Simon’s boat into Lake Galilee in order to speak to them. So eager they were to hear the words Jesus offered. Once Jesus had finished speaking to the crowds he directs Simon to sail further into the lake and let down his nets. Simon explains that he and the other fishermen had toiled all night and caught nothing. Simon Peter initially resists Jesus request. Nevertheless as a sign of trust in Jesus Simon calls him Master and follows his orders. Imagine his astonishment when he lifts his net to find it almost bursting under the weight from all of the fish he has caught. Simon calls to his partners on the lake so that they can also enjoy the haul. They catch so many fish that the boats almost sink under the weight.
Simon immediately understood what was happening, falls to his knees, and begs Jesus to leave him as he is not worthy and a sinner.
His companions James and John, sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus tells them not to fear because now on they will fish for people. They return to shore, drop their nets, and follow Jesus.
It is difficult to understand how Simon Peter must have felt during this encounter. Jesus speaks exclusively to him after addressing the crowds. We can only guess the content of Jesus message but Simon Peter barely has time to process before Jesus addresses him and performs his miraculous catch.
Simon Peter comes to an astounding realisation during this scene. He initially refers to Jesus as "master" (Greek: epistat ēs, a term used for tutors and teachers) at verse 5 but after the momentous catch, he addresses Jesus as "Lord" (Greek: kyrios) at verse 8. Simon Peter has understood the bewildering things that he has seen and now comes to a realisation about the true nature of Jesus. Simon Peters reaction is one of pure astonishment and unworthiness because of sin. This is a common reaction in biblical scripture when someone is directly addressed by God ( See Exodus 3:6; 33:20; Judges 6:22; 13:22; Isaiah 6:5; Luke 18:13). Jesus’ response to Simon Peters reaction is telling, Jesus makes no mention of sin, no request to repent, no judgement whatsoever. Jesus simply calls Simon Peter as he is. This acceptance and calling in the face of perceived unworthiness will become a trademark in Jesus’s ministry.
Like many of Jesus’ miracles, the miraculous fish catch has a double meaning. There are two ways in which Simon Peter is able to see and understand this miracle. First is the clear observation of the incredible nature of the catch that Jesus has just been able to haul in. The second is the power of Jesus’ message. When Jesus speaks people flock to him. His message of the merciful Reign of God in which all people are welcomed and loved naturally leads people to repentance. It is true that this message is also met with fury when certain parties realize that this call extends beyond their own boundaries (see last week reading) but this disruption cannot overpower the love to which Jesus us. It is no accident that the catch directly follows Jesus’ message to the crowds; the enormous catch of fish is a symbol of both the abundance Christ offers and the people who come to follow him.
It is interesting to note the difference between Jesus’ pulpit when he preached previously in Nazareth and his pulpit in the fishing boat. One was in a place of scripture and town business and the other was on a shaky fisherman's boat. One involved a scroll of scripture and the other was simply a tired Jesus sitting in a boat delivering a message. Jesus was ready to share his message in whatever situation he found himself in. I wonder whether this speaks something to us about where and when the message of Christ can be spoken and heard in our own contexts?
The call of Simon Peter offers hope to us all. Here is a simple fisherman who is overcome with awe at Jesus and feels entirely unworthy before him. We all feel unworthy at times. If we are honest with ourselves we see very clearly that we set barriers instead of offering Christ's love. This is different for each and every one of us. It is easy to forget the abundance of the full nets and act more like those that drove Jesus to the precipice of the cliff. Maybe we don't feel spiritual enough, or we don't feel we work hard enough, or we feel ignorant through lack of experience, or worthless because we have come to the end of our working lives. The calling of the first disciple, Simon Peter, puts all of these fears and self-judgements to rest. Christ calls us to discipleship exactly where and how we are. Let us not get caught up in focusing on things that are not our core business. Our core business as Christian people is to deeply listen to Christ’s message. We are called to engage with scripture in a way that leads us to a closer relationship with God, not to biblicism. We are called to foster discipleship among all people, to love God and love our neighbour.
Jesus calls us exactly how we are. This is a blessing of incredible Grace and a message that shakes our foundations and calls us to action.
Rev Claye Middleton