Sunday Reflection – Feb. 6, 2022

Luke 5:1-11

“A Mighty Big Catch”

The reading from Luke’s gospel, is one of the narratives of Jesus calling his first disciples.  And here in Luke’s gospel, though it is somewhat different than in the other gospels, in how it is told.  It still comes down to the same, they give up everything to follow Jesus.

Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, (sea of Galilee) and the crowds were pressing in on him.  Jesus’ popularity by this time was starting to build, and wanting to give a teaching here, seeing the boats tied up by the shoreline after they had come in from fishing, he gets into Simon’s(Peter) boat, and asks him to push out a little from the shore.  (5:3)

Previous to this in the gospel, is the story of the healing of Simons mother-in-law.  After leaving the Synagogue Jesus goes to Simon’s house and they ask him about Peter’s mother-in-law who is sick, and Jesus goes to her and heals her,(4:38,39); So they already have a somewhat familiar relationship with Jesus. And perhaps why Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat here.  

When he is finished speaking however, he says to Simon, “Put out into the deep waters and let down your nets for a catch, (5:4).” We know prior to this the men were on shore washing their nets, so they would not have long come in from fishing, and likely exhausted from having fished all night and caught no fish, they were good and ready to put to shore, not go back out again. Peter says as much to Jesus, “Master, we have worked all night long and caught nothing, Yet, he says if you say so, I will let down the nets.” (5:5)

“To put out into the deep” while Jesus was referring to a deeper place on the sea of Galilee here, where the fish would likely be found, it could stand for those times Jesus is asking us to do something in our own lives. As to try something new, give another attempt at something even though perhaps we have tried and not succeeded previously, as such.  Reflecting on this however, I thought about the church as it is today, during these Pandemic times. Might this be ‘the deep’ we are being asked to put out into, with so much having changed, that while it feels perhaps for the most part we are only treading water, waiting for things to turn around so that they can go back to the way things were, in trying to maintain the same practices and expectations.  Could Jesus be saying to us right now, ‘put out into the deep and let down your nets again”.  And if so, what might that be saying to you, or as the church in the world today? Would it encourage or challenge you in some way?

Peter didn’t think it was the right time to go out fishing again, but though he was reluctant however, he follows through with what Jesus asks of him and sets out.  And the result of that obedience, you might say is a mighty ‘catch of fish’.   The nets became so filled with fish that they were starting to break and he had to call the others boats over to help them, and the boats were so full that they began to sink. 

Peter of course realizing in that moment, that it was nothing to do with him knowing where to go, or even if the fish were there for that matter, it had nothing to do with the fish either but all to do with Jesus. You could say here, as Isaiah saw the glory of God as he entered the temple in the vision he received, (Isaiah 6:1-8). So too was ‘the Mighty Catch of Fish’ to Peter a revelation of Jesus’ glory.

And that’s what brought Peter to fall to his knees and confess before Jesus, “go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (5:8.)  It had now registered for Peter, just who Jesus was.  That he wasn’t just a wonderful teacher of the word of God that the crowds loved to follow, or a great miracle worker, as he had done for his mother-in-law, healing her from her sickness.  But that Jesus was all that and so much more, for Peter now knew he was in the presence of the Son of the Living God.

Jesus didn’t leave as Simon had asked him too either, for he knew Simon and that his confession was his way of saying yes, to Jesus. “Do not be afraid”, Jesus says to Simon, “from now on you will be catching people.”  I like to think it was probably more along the lines, ‘will Peter you think that’s something, just come along with me, and I’ll show you greater and bigger things than this.’

The word “catching” while it is often frowned on for the most part because of the connotation it gives of putting out a net to haul People into the church, as one might hauling fish in over the side of a boat.  Not a very welcoming or friendly image for sure.  I don’t think however that Jesus meant that either, for even though Jesus you might say, caught Peter and the others with his ‘big catch of fish’.  It didn’t just happen like that. 

Jesus put the time in with Simon Peter and the others, that they would be ready to commit when they did.  Jesus had already formed a relationship with Simon, going to his house where he healed his mother-in-law, and going to the lake shore where the fishermen were working, meeting them in other words where they were;  Stepping into Peter’s boat to teach, and asking Peter to put out a little, though Peter was busy washing the nets he obviously does what is asked of him; For it says, “than Jesus sat down and began to teach”(5:3).  He made it possible for Peter too, to hear and respond to the word.  And when Jesus  asks, Peter to ‘put out into the deep’, Peter refers to Jesus as ‘Master’(5:5).  Peter recognized Jesus’ authority amongst them already. And Jesus no doubt, had been preparing Simon Peter all along that he might be ready for the big catch, this moment of decision. 

And so while this is a ‘call” story, in that it says, the disciples give up everything to follow Jesus (5:11).   It is more about Jesus, and how it is that he works in our lives to bring us to where he needs or wants us to be.  We may not always discern his presence, but nevertheless as he came to Peter on the shore, steps into Peters boat, and even goes fishing with them.  We know he meets us right where we are in the ordinary places of our lives, and there too he calls us away from our busyness, away from our work, away from all that we sometimes think we need, in order that we might have the life that only he can truly give.   Do we ever…. have a good and gracious God!

I offer these Sunday reflections as a part of my own daily reflection on the word. If you find them helpful or inspirational to you, then maybe you can let me know by leaving a comment, or just sharing them with others.

Take care, stay safe always, God Bless.

“The Lord will make good his purpose for me; O Lord, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands, (Psalm 138:9)”