Trinity 5 July 17, 2022
Luke 5:1-11
God Provides the Bounty
v.5-6 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your Word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
Dear friends in Christ, what great joy it brings us to know that God is good—and that He daily and richly provides for His creation. But it doesn't always seem like it. We may work hard and yet never seem to get ahead—the results we desire just don't seem to come. While this is often the way we feel with our regular workaday lives, it also seems to feel this way with the growth of our local church. We share the Gospel with neighbours, friends, and family, yet there seems to be little fruit born as a result. We sometimes forget that it must be God who provides—God who gives according to His good timing—not ours.
Such was the case with our Lord's first disciples. Simon and Andrew, James and John, no doubt were already familiar with Jesus, having heard Him preach and teach. It just so happened that one day, after a long night of fishing (in which they had caught nothing—something I can certainly relate to whenever I go fishing!), they were washing their nets before getting some much needed rest. While they were working, they were listening to Jesus teach. However, the crowd that had gathered to hear Jesus was so large that He was getting pressed too closely, which meant people farther back wouldn't be able to hear as well. So Jesus asks Simon and Andrew to get back into their boat and put out a little from shore so that He can be heard better by the gathered people.
Can you picture Simon and Andrew's hesitation? They've just been working all night—they're tired—they're hungry—but this is Jesus asking! So, they put out a little from shore. After Jesus finishes His teaching, however, He doesn't ask to go back to shore, but rather He further instructs them to put out even further into the lake—into the Deep—and let down their nets for a catch. You know, those nets they've just spent hours washing and mending after a long night of fruitless labour.
Simon's response is typical. He acquiesces, but he makes pretty clear that he thinks this isn't a good idea. After all, Simon and Andrew are the professional fishermen—Jesus is a carpenter turned rabbi! What does He know of fishing? Nonetheless, "Simon answered, 'Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your Word I will let down the nets.'" Simon answers respectfully, "Master—teacher"—not Lord—but a term of great respect. "We worked all night long—and we have nothing to show for it. But since you say so—out of love and respect for you—we will let down the nets….but it's probably not going to amount to anything more than extra work for us."
Is that not the way with us as well? We often question God's Word to us—wondering what could possibly come of it—thinking we must know more than Him when it comes to certain things. We sometimes fail to speak the truth of God's Word, fearing that we will sound foolish—or worse—intolerant—to the world around us—when all we should really be concerned about is being faithful. Speaking the truth in love and respect. But we think that God's Word can't actually do what He says it will do: change peoples' hearts and minds—lead them to repentance and faith—but rather that we must have to do something to help the process along—that by our winsome ways and words we will somehow manage to change people where God's Word fails.
Oh beloved, what arrogance we so often display. What unbelief. We ought to be deeply humbled before the power of God's holy and mighty word—the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners, which does indeed change people inside and out. For, as St. Paul writes in our epistle , "we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Simon, Andrew, James, and John experienced this first hand when they were called to be disciples of Christ. For "when they had done this [let down the nets], they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. [Simon and Andrew] signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink." Jesus—the Lord and Master of Creation speaks—and His Word is fulfilled. Not only do the fishermen gain a catch of fish, but it is such a catch of fish! An enormous amount of fish fill their nets. In desperation and joy they call to their fishing partners in the other boat to come and help. But there are so many fish, that both boats are filled to the point of sinking!
And now they begin to realize that this is no ordinary man—this is no ordinary rabbi—preacher—teacher—or even master. This is the Lord. A true holy man—perhaps they are even getting an inkling that this the Holy God in the flesh. And in looking at themselves—their sin—their doubt—grows before their eyes—and become afraid. Afraid to be in the presence of one who is so utterly holy, while they are sinners. "But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'"
"Please Jesus. Go away. Get away from me. I cannot stand to be in your presence because I am a sinner and you—you are so much more. You are the Lord. And sinners cannot be in the presence of the Lord and live." Their own sin leads them to fear the presence of Jesus. And yet Jesus' response is one of mercy and compassion. "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
Yes, Jesus is holy. Yes, Jesus is Lord. But Jesus comes to call us out of our fear—out of our sinfulness and pride. He calls us away from those things that would lead to our death—and brings us by the power of His Word unto life everlasting.
The call of Jesus through His Word is one that is not easily ignored. By His grace, you have been called to be His disciples, too. You have been called by the power of His Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Perhaps, it was when you were baptized as a babe in arms—having the healing waters of Baptism poured out upon you in the Lord's Triune Name—receiving the mark of the cross of Jesus as your own. Perhaps, it was when you were older and first heard the Gospel of Jesus and His death on the cross for your sins. You, too, were led to repentance and faith by the hearing of this Word.
These words seem so small—so little—so powerless to do anything. But just ask Peter and the other disciples whether the Word of Jesus has power! With a word Jesus brought about a great catch of fish. With a word Jesus healed diseases, calmed storms, and multiplied loaves and fishes for hungry people, while also driving away demons. With a Word Jesus forgives you all of your sins, granting you life through faith in His name. With a Word Jesus calls you to believe and to be fishers of men with His same powerful Word. That others may hear of Him and so believe and be saved.
You, beloved, need not be worried about the bounty that God will bring from His Word. You simply are called to be faithful—to speak His Word in love to those lost in darkness—that they may be caught together with us unto life everlasting. For Jesus speaks—and His Word has its way. For Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God made flesh. And He has come to you and to me in loving mercy to save those trapped in their sin. May we, too, be bold like those first disciples to leave everything and follow Him, trusting in His Word to provide for all that we need in both body and soul. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Luke 5:1-11
God Provides the Bounty
v.5-6 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your Word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
Dear friends in Christ, what great joy it brings us to know that God is good—and that He daily and richly provides for His creation. But it doesn't always seem like it. We may work hard and yet never seem to get ahead—the results we desire just don't seem to come. While this is often the way we feel with our regular workaday lives, it also seems to feel this way with the growth of our local church. We share the Gospel with neighbours, friends, and family, yet there seems to be little fruit born as a result. We sometimes forget that it must be God who provides—God who gives according to His good timing—not ours.
Such was the case with our Lord's first disciples. Simon and Andrew, James and John, no doubt were already familiar with Jesus, having heard Him preach and teach. It just so happened that one day, after a long night of fishing (in which they had caught nothing—something I can certainly relate to whenever I go fishing!), they were washing their nets before getting some much needed rest. While they were working, they were listening to Jesus teach. However, the crowd that had gathered to hear Jesus was so large that He was getting pressed too closely, which meant people farther back wouldn't be able to hear as well. So Jesus asks Simon and Andrew to get back into their boat and put out a little from shore so that He can be heard better by the gathered people.
Can you picture Simon and Andrew's hesitation? They've just been working all night—they're tired—they're hungry—but this is Jesus asking! So, they put out a little from shore. After Jesus finishes His teaching, however, He doesn't ask to go back to shore, but rather He further instructs them to put out even further into the lake—into the Deep—and let down their nets for a catch. You know, those nets they've just spent hours washing and mending after a long night of fruitless labour.
Simon's response is typical. He acquiesces, but he makes pretty clear that he thinks this isn't a good idea. After all, Simon and Andrew are the professional fishermen—Jesus is a carpenter turned rabbi! What does He know of fishing? Nonetheless, "Simon answered, 'Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your Word I will let down the nets.'" Simon answers respectfully, "Master—teacher"—not Lord—but a term of great respect. "We worked all night long—and we have nothing to show for it. But since you say so—out of love and respect for you—we will let down the nets….but it's probably not going to amount to anything more than extra work for us."
Is that not the way with us as well? We often question God's Word to us—wondering what could possibly come of it—thinking we must know more than Him when it comes to certain things. We sometimes fail to speak the truth of God's Word, fearing that we will sound foolish—or worse—intolerant—to the world around us—when all we should really be concerned about is being faithful. Speaking the truth in love and respect. But we think that God's Word can't actually do what He says it will do: change peoples' hearts and minds—lead them to repentance and faith—but rather that we must have to do something to help the process along—that by our winsome ways and words we will somehow manage to change people where God's Word fails.
Oh beloved, what arrogance we so often display. What unbelief. We ought to be deeply humbled before the power of God's holy and mighty word—the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners, which does indeed change people inside and out. For, as St. Paul writes in our epistle , "we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Simon, Andrew, James, and John experienced this first hand when they were called to be disciples of Christ. For "when they had done this [let down the nets], they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. [Simon and Andrew] signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink." Jesus—the Lord and Master of Creation speaks—and His Word is fulfilled. Not only do the fishermen gain a catch of fish, but it is such a catch of fish! An enormous amount of fish fill their nets. In desperation and joy they call to their fishing partners in the other boat to come and help. But there are so many fish, that both boats are filled to the point of sinking!
And now they begin to realize that this is no ordinary man—this is no ordinary rabbi—preacher—teacher—or even master. This is the Lord. A true holy man—perhaps they are even getting an inkling that this the Holy God in the flesh. And in looking at themselves—their sin—their doubt—grows before their eyes—and become afraid. Afraid to be in the presence of one who is so utterly holy, while they are sinners. "But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'"
"Please Jesus. Go away. Get away from me. I cannot stand to be in your presence because I am a sinner and you—you are so much more. You are the Lord. And sinners cannot be in the presence of the Lord and live." Their own sin leads them to fear the presence of Jesus. And yet Jesus' response is one of mercy and compassion. "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
Yes, Jesus is holy. Yes, Jesus is Lord. But Jesus comes to call us out of our fear—out of our sinfulness and pride. He calls us away from those things that would lead to our death—and brings us by the power of His Word unto life everlasting.
The call of Jesus through His Word is one that is not easily ignored. By His grace, you have been called to be His disciples, too. You have been called by the power of His Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Perhaps, it was when you were baptized as a babe in arms—having the healing waters of Baptism poured out upon you in the Lord's Triune Name—receiving the mark of the cross of Jesus as your own. Perhaps, it was when you were older and first heard the Gospel of Jesus and His death on the cross for your sins. You, too, were led to repentance and faith by the hearing of this Word.
These words seem so small—so little—so powerless to do anything. But just ask Peter and the other disciples whether the Word of Jesus has power! With a word Jesus brought about a great catch of fish. With a word Jesus healed diseases, calmed storms, and multiplied loaves and fishes for hungry people, while also driving away demons. With a Word Jesus forgives you all of your sins, granting you life through faith in His name. With a Word Jesus calls you to believe and to be fishers of men with His same powerful Word. That others may hear of Him and so believe and be saved.
You, beloved, need not be worried about the bounty that God will bring from His Word. You simply are called to be faithful—to speak His Word in love to those lost in darkness—that they may be caught together with us unto life everlasting. For Jesus speaks—and His Word has its way. For Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God made flesh. And He has come to you and to me in loving mercy to save those trapped in their sin. May we, too, be bold like those first disciples to leave everything and follow Him, trusting in His Word to provide for all that we need in both body and soul. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.