Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus: Our Master and Lord

Introduction

There have been a lot of superhero movies out lately, in fact, since 2010 there have been more than 50. From X-Men to the Avengers, to the Justice League, to individual films, many love to read or watch stories when somewhat ordinary and flawed people are called to do extraordinary things, to be a part of an incredible adventure. Why? I think there is a longing that we all have for significance.

The longing for significance, the desire to see amazing things done to make wrong things right, the hope to be a part of something amazing is built within us, I don’t think it is wrong. Jesus authoritatively calls his disciples and us to be a part of his rescue mission, and these stories and movies are simply affirmation that we were made for something bigger than ourselves. And when he calls us, we have no choice. We follow and obey.

Background

Luke has shown us Jesus who has proclaimed himself to be the Christ, who has the Spirit, who will bring salvation to the poor, captive, blind, and oppressed. He is the one who has come to earth to bring to those who trust in him the Lord's favor.

After this proclamation, based upon the other Gospels it appears to me that Jesus calls a few of the disciples (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) who were working on the Sea of Galilee as fishermen to follow him and become fishers of men. It seems as if they followed him and were able to witness a day in the life of Jesus where he proved himself to be the Christ who is empowered by the Spirit, heals the sick, casts out demons, and communes with God. After this Jesus continues to preach the good news of the kingdom of God throughout Judea as the people continue to seek him. At some point during this time it seems that the disciples went back home to resume their work as fishermen.

And now in Luke 5:1-11 Jesus calls these four disciples to follow him permanently and leave everything behind showing that he is both Master and Lord.

Exposition

Our first point today is that Jesus is the word of God to be heard (vv. 1-3). In verse 1, we see that Jesus draws crowds to hear him, the word of God.

Jesus makes his way to the lake of Gennesaret, or what we would know as the Sea of Galilee. There a crowd has gathered around him and are physically pushing into him so they may hear "the word of God."

While this is happening, there is a group of fishermen on shore, washing their nets, probably listening to him. They had heard him before and as I mentioned, had probably traveled with him as well. These fishermen, Peter, Andrew, John, and James know that Jesus' purpose is not to catch fish, but men. And this Jesus appears to have done, for there is a whole crowd who is following him to hear the word of God.

In verse 2, we see how Jesus exercises his authority so that he can be heard. Jesus decides to make it easier for everyone to hear by getting on one of the two boats that were near the shore. Being in the boat would allow his words to carry out over the crowd. The boat he chose to get into was more than likely Simon and his brother Andrew’s. After Jesus got into the boat, he asked Simon to push a little bit away from the land so he could finish his teaching.

In verses 3-4a, Jesus finishes teaching the crowds and turns his attention to the disciples. Here Jesus finishes teaching the people from the boat. He has given the people himself, the word of God. This teaching was probably something similar to Luke 4 or Matthew 5-7, speaking of the kingdom of God and the Gospel.

With this background, let's work through a few questions. First, why does Jesus draw the crowds? It is because he not only speaks the word of God, he is the word of God (cf. John 1:1-3).

The crowds came to hear him because they, like us, long to hear a true word, a definitive word about ourselves and the world we live in. The world is filled with uncertainty and emptiness without a true word. Jesus is the word of God who tells us with absolute certainty and finality the truth, because he is the truth. If we look in chapter 4 verses 22, 32, and 36 we see that the people marveled at the gracious words (same Greek word) coming from Jesus' mouth, more than likely because Jesus possessed authority and power as he spoke.

Second, what does it mean that Jesus is the word or speech of God? In the Old Testament, God’s “Word” is his powerful self-expression in creation, revelation, and salvation. Jesus is the personification of that "Word", being the fullness of God's self-disclosure. In other words, Jesus reveals God to us and how we can have relationship with him. This is why his words had authority and power. Jesus told the people with absolute certainty how they could enter the kingdom of God, have relationship with God, just like in the story of Nicodemus.

Now, let’s make a point of application. How are you being drawn to Jesus to hear the word of God? Are you clamoring to hear a true word, a definitive word about you, the world, and God? If so, what are you doing to take time out of your life to seek Jesus so that you may hear what he has to say, so you can hear and draw near to him?

Third, how are the crowds being drawn to him? They press in on him. Since he is the word of God who teaches and preaches the word of God and does so with grace, authority, and power, all want to hear him. So much so that they physically press in on him.

If we look closely at this passage we will see that just as calls the disciples to be fishers of men, he is the great fisher of men. His words draw the crowds to himself. In fact, Jesus not only drew these crowds at the Sea of Galilee to hear him, he has continued to draw people to hear him, even you and me.

As we look at passages of Scripture like Psalm 19, we see that the word of the Lord is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. His words are to be desired more than great mounds of the purest gold and are sweeter than the sweetest tasting food.

To apply this, what is your attitude toward Jesus, the word of God? Do you marvel at his words? Can you not wait to hear his gracious words? Are you not only listening to him, but living as if his words have power and authority over you?

Our second point today is that Jesus is the master to be obeyed (vv. 4b-7). In verses 4-7, Jesus directs and blesses his disciple's work. The people have probably dispersed and Jesus might be alone with only Peter and Andrew.  He turns his attention to Simon, and shortly after his partners, James and John.

The narrative focuses on Peter though, who is often the spokesman for the rest of Jesus' disciples. Jesus gives Simon a command to go out to the deeper waters and put his nets down for a catch. By saying this, Jesus is telling Simon that he will get a catch. Jesus not only knows there are fish to catch, he knows that they will be caught simply by throwing the nets in.

How does Jesus know this? He is much more than a man. Jesus is God. He has authority and power not only in the way he teaches and preaches, but he has authority and power over the created order. Jesus not only knows where the fish are, but he has the power to command them to swim into the nets.

In Jonah 1:17 we read that the Lord, Yahweh, the I am, appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah. This same God has appointed a massive school of fish to fill the disciple's nets. If we look closely, we can see why Simon responded the way he did both the first time, "I would be surprised if we catch anything, but ok, you are in charge" and the second time, "Please leave, I am a sinner, and you are Yahweh." More about this in a moment.

Let’s think about a few things. First, Jesus' love and desire for the disciples. He teaches the crowds, yes, but he also cares for the disciples individually. So much so, that he has tailored a miracle just for them. Jesus uses creation and providence to draw us to himself. Do you believe he has this much care not only for the disciples, but for you? Do you believe he is working all things for his glory and your good?

In verse 5 we see Simon's qualified obedience. After Simon hears the command of Jesus to try to catch some fish, he makes sure to tell Jesus that there probably aren't any fish to be caught at the present time. After all, they spent all night fishing and didn't catch anything, which is why they were repairing their nets on the shore. It seems to me that Jesus knew that they had been fishing all night, and he wanted to prove to them that he is truly Yahweh, the Lord of creation, so he could permanently call them to be his disciples.

Simon calls Jesus "Master", a word that means someone who is in charge, like an administrator. Simon recognizes Jesus' authority, and proves this by saying that he will follow Jesus' direction. He seemingly reluctantly is doing what Jesus says.  Though they are professional fishermen and couldn't catch any fish, they will still listen to what Jesus says and do it, but he probably just wants to make sure Jesus knows that he isn’t expecting a catch.

In verses 6-7, we see Jesus' great blessing to the fishermen. Simon and likely Andrew do what Jesus says, casting out their nets, and the success that comes is beyond what their nets can handle. The catch is so big that they have to call James and John, their business partners, over to help them pull up the catch and load it in both boats.

In fact, the catch was so massive, so miraculous, that the boats were starting to sink. This was no ordinary catch, this was a miraculous catch. The professional fishermen couldn't believe that it was possible to catch this many fish with one drop of the net. In other words, the normal patterns of fish migration or schooling in the lake was interrupted. Jesus had divinely directed the fish just like in the story of Jonah.

How do  you view Jesus? Is he just an administrator or leader to you? Will you obey him as such, not expecting him to be able to do great things, but expecting what can only be done by natural means, or will you obey him with expectation, knowing that he is able to do far above and beyond all you can ask or imagine? If Jesus can draw the crowds by his powerful and authoritative word, and cause a massive group of fish to make their way to the nets of fishermen who couldn’t catch any fish in this area, what else can he do? Who is this man? Is he just a "Master" or is he more than this?

Our third point is that Jesus is the Lord to give everything for (vv. 8-11). In verses 8-9 Jesus is shown to be Yahweh, the I Am.

When Simon sees this massive haul of fish, he recognizes that this isn't some ordinary thing that could happen if the stars aligned right. This is the very act of the Lord, Yahweh himself. In fact, Simon falls down at Jesus' knees, I believe, in worship. Simon knows that Jesus is Yahweh, the Lord, the one who has power over the physical order, over creation. This glimpse at the Lord of glory in human flesh causes him to look at himself, recognize he is a sinner, unholy and undeserving to be in the presence of Jesus, the Lord, the Creator, God himself.

Luke tells us why Simon Peter would give worship to Jesus and call him Yahweh. It was because the catch of fish was astonishing. It was amazing and struck awe in not only Simon Peter and Andrew, but also John and James. These four fishermen, business partners, had never seen anything like this. This was no ordinary event. It was the king of all the earth ordering a bunch of fish to do his will. The fish obey and this is why Simon Peter falls down before Jesus and worships, confessing his unworthiness of the presence of the living God, even Jesus Christ.

Peter's reaction seems to mirror Isaiah's when he saw Yahweh. Isaiah 6:4-5 says, "And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'" When Peter falls to Jesus' knees and says, "I am a sinful man, O Lord", he is saying the same thing as Isaiah when he saw God in a vision and was called to be his prophet. Peter is also confessing that his eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of armies!" Jesus has shown himself to be the one to draw crowds of people as the word of God, and to control the fish in the sea as Yahweh.

In verse 10a, we see how Jesus is gracious and kind. And now, as Peter expects to die as he has seen the very Lord of armies, for who can see the holy One and live? Something incredible happens. Jesus shows his grace and kindness. He tells Simon that he doesn’t need to fear. He did not come to earth to strike people dead with the sword of his mouth in judgment, but to be struck by the sword of the wrath of God, to bear our judgment. Jesus came full of grace and truth. He came to call sinners like Peter, and you and me to repentance. Jesus came to call us from death to life in his grace. How gracious.

In Jesus' kindness, quite possibly for the second time, permanently this time, Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to come and be a part of the great catch of humanity that he is going to do after he dies and rises from the dead. He not only has the authority to call fish to be used for man's purposes, but has authority to call the disciples and others through them, and he does. How kind.

There is a great company of people who Jesus calls to himself. He is called the disciples and he also calls you and I to be a part of the great catch of the sons and daughters of God.

How do you think of God? Do you expect God to exercise his judgment and wrath upon you, or have you heard the voice of Christ who says, "Do not be afraid." Jesus calls all men, everywhere, to repent. To turn to him and become a part of his band of fishermen who will tell the great story of God's redemption in the gracious and kind face of Jesus Christ who the Father willingly sent to rescue us.

In verse 11 we see the disciples give up everything for Jesus. When a person sees the Lord of glory smile at them and extend the offer of pardon and life, what is there to do but give all and follow after him? This is what the disciples do.

They bring the boats to land, leave the massive haul of fish for Zebedee, their father, to sell and they walk away from everything. They leave everything behind and follow Jesus: their homes, families, friends, and businesses.

To them, seeing the king of glory, the Lord of armies face-to-face, and hearing his call to discipleship was enough for them. What else is there when you come face-to-face with the Maker of heaven and earth? What greater good? What greater joy? What greater purpose?

When the Maker calls there is but one thing to do…leave everything behind and follow him. God is the pearl of great price to sell everything for to buy. He is worth more than anything in this world. Why? He created it. He is all and in all. When we seek the things in this world as ultimate, we miss the reality of the God that holds all of these things together. This God came to earth to call us into relationship with himself so that we can be a part of his plan to draw others into this same relationship or communion with him.

Jesus drew the crowds to hear the word of God, Jesus exercises his sovereign will over all creation for his purposes, Jesus called disciples to fulfill his purpose of preaching the Good News of Jesus so that he can draw more disciples to himself who in turn will do the same. Jesus made disciples who made disciples. We are those disciples who should continue to be used to call all to be in relationship with him.

Application

Many view religion as a set of instructions, like Lego directions, that you simply follow to the best of their ability. If you do, then God will be happy and not judge them. This treats Christianity as if it is simply advice instead of good news. Christianity is really the Gospel, good news. This good news is that we don’t need to do our best to earn our way to God. Why? Our best isn’t good enough. We actually don’t have to do anything. We simply trust and follow Jesus’ call. We make Jesus our number one goal and priority, orbiting our life around him. Jesus calls us to follow a King, not a manual.

Just like the disciples heard, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” and they immediately left their vocation and their families, the call of God is one that must be answered with “Yes!” It is a call to be as we were created to be, to orbit around God instead of the other way around. It is a call from our Creator to our soul. Deep calls to deep.

In Luke 5:1-11, we saw that Jesus is the authoritative voice of God who calls his people to follow him and lead others to do the same.

Have you been authoritatively called by Jesus into his rescue operation? Are the latent superhero longings being wasted on building your own kingdom and fulfilling your own desires, or Christ’s? Are you living on his mission?