Trinity 5 July 9, 2023
Luke 5:1-11
It's Called "Catching" NOT "Fishing
v.10b And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
Dear friends in Christ, our text for this morning takes place at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. St. Luke has already related the story of Jesus' birth, one story from His adolescence, Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan by John, His temptation by the devil in the wilderness, His rejection as a prophet in His hometown of Nazareth, and His healing of various diseases and demon possessions. Luke now picks up the story with Jesus calling some helpers—the first disciples—those whom Jesus would teach over the course of the next three years, and who would continue His ministry following His death, resurrection, and ascension.
Our text occurs in Capernaum—a small fishing village along the coast of the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee)—which is the hometown of Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John—and would later serve as Jesus' base of operations for His public ministry. But these are early days. Jesus has come to Capernaum to preach and teach. Yet He is so popular (already!) that "the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the Word of God." Hear that again—the crowd was pressing Him so hard to hear His Word that they were practically laying upon Him—hemming Him in on every side.
Realizing that the crowd was too close for Him to be heard by those farther away, Jesus "saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's He asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat." Jesus seizes the opportunity along the lakeshore to get into a boat and move back away from the crowd so that His voice may be better heard by all the people.
However, what happens next is when things go a little sideways. For Jesus, "when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.'" Now, beloved, we happen to live in lake country—and many people here have a passion for fishing—and will invest vast sums of time and resources into their hobby. But remember that Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and James and John were professional fishermen. Fishing the Lake of Gennesaret was their livelihood—and they were good at their craft—for together they had a small fleet of at least two boats.
Note that Simon, the professional fisherman, is somewhat skeptical of Jesus' command to go fishing. It's not the right time for fishing for one thing, and they had just finished an all-nighter in which they had been skunked! They were exhausted, having just gotten everything ready for the next day, and were no doubt looking forward to a good meal and some rest. Yet Simon answered Jesus, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."
You know, beloved, you know how Simon must have felt. There have been times when you go out fishing and don't get even the teeny tiniest nibble! Frustrating! But, as the saying goes, "They call it 'fishing' not 'catching!'"
However, this is not so when you are with Jesus, the Lord of Creation and life. For "when they had done this [let down the nets], they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They 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. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'"
So, despite their better earthly wisdom regarding fishing, Simon and Andrew let down the nets of their boats in the wrong place at the wrong time, but do so "at the word of Jesus" and it results not in "fishing" but "catching" a large number of fish—so many, in fact, that their nets become endangered of breaking under the strain.
After signaling for help from their partners, James and John, Simon's response to this miraculous event is swift indeed. For he falls down on his face before Jesus' knees, prostrating himself in an attitude of profound worship and fear, recognizing that the Man who stands before him is no ordinary man. Getting a glimpse of the glory of the Lord is a terrifying experience (just ask the prophet Moses—for God said to him in Exodus 33:20, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live."). So, Peter, in great terror cowers before Jesus' feet and asks Him to depart since Peter knows He is a sinful man and should in no way be near One such as this—who can command the fish and the sea in such a way.
Yet Jesus' response is also quick and beautiful, for "Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.'" Jesus speaks to Simon and comforts him, first of all—Do not be afraid. "Do not fear Simon, for I have not come to condemn you in your sin, but to call you to faith and hope in Me, and to appoint you to a wonderful ministry—to be a participant in My Word and work—which is Good News for all people—for it is nothing less than the full remission of all sins through faith in Me and My atoning blood shed on the cross."
Do you hear that, beloved? Jesus called Simon to "catch men." Not to "fish" for men, but to "catch" them. How? By casting wide the net of Jesus' Gospel Word throughout the world. You are familiar with this Word of Jesus from the end of St. Matthew's Gospel where the risen Jesus declares to the disciples at His ascension into heaven, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Beloved, Jesus calls you and me to this glorious task as well. A task to spread wide His Gospel net unto all the world so that all people may hear His Word of forgiveness and peace and so be "caught" in faith for Jesus.
But we, too, are afraid. It's not easy to speak up and tell people about Jesus. It's scary! We might share our faith with them—tell them the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection for them—and they might have questions! They might ask US questions—questions we don't have the answer to—that would be embarrassing and frightening all at the same time. Or, they may not receive that Gospel message with joy, but rather with scorn and disdain—they may end up mocking us—ridiculing us—and that would cause us pain—who wants that? It's a scary prospect. Much better to stay quiet and not saying anything at all. But that would be to disobey Jesus—nor would it be trusting in His Word of promise.
Yet, beloved, into your fear comes the Word of Jesus—"Do not be afraid." Do not fear—for your Jesus goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you as you go about His great call to Baptize and Teach the nations in His blessed name. He is with you always! In Word and Sacrament He comes to you to lift you up and bless with you His forgiveness and mercy—console you with His pardon and peace—restore you with His healing grace.
For this same Jesus—the Jesus whose Word called fish from the deep to fill the disciples' nets—is the same Jesus whose Word you proclaim that goes forth to fill peoples' hearts with the light and love of Jesus. That Word of the Gospel that acts as a net to catch men—has first caught you—in the waters of your Baptism—washing you in the redeeming name of God for the forgiveness of your sins. This Word catches people through simple preaching and teaching, devotions and Bible reading. It seems so weak and useless on the surface, but as St. Paul declares in his first epistle to the Corinthians (1:23-25), "but 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."
Beloved, we don't engage in "fishing" for men—that is, using our own techniques or wisdom to win people to Christ—thinking that if we can come up with a clever enough argument—or a really cool meme—that THEN people will believe in Jesus. Or, if we have some great church program, or the right kind of music to lure people into the church—then they will be won for Jesus. Not so. Jesus does not give us a fishing rod with all sorts of different bait or lures to draw people into the church (His body), but rather a simple net. A net that is the simple Gospel message of Christ crucified for sinners such as you and me. And this net "catches" people—grabs hold of them by the power of the saving work of Jesus given in Word and Sacrament.
No wonder why we don't need to be afraid! It's not our job to go "fishing" for men, but rather simply to go "catching men" by the power of Christ's own Word. The Word that filled the disciples' nets with fish—the Word that created the sun, moon, and stars—the Word that has filled your hearts with Christ at your Baptism—and feeds you daily in the richness of His love and mercy as you hear and read over and over again of His saving work for you on the cross. You are called to proclaim nothing less than Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And, beloved, it's enough. Indeed, the power of Christ crucified is MORE than enough to "catch" all men.
For that powerful Word reaches deeply into sin-darkened hearts, bringing light and joy—it reaches into sin-battered consciences—soothing them with Jesus' mercy and love—releasing them from the guilt and shame that so plagues them. Jesus' Gospel Word "catches" people with its stunning grace, and brings them to trust in Him and cast off their fear and sorrow, falling down before His life and love. As it does with you. So, go about this task with joy and thanksgiving in your hearts—not afraid—but confident in Jesus and His Word to do the work to which He has called you. After all, "from now you will be catching men," NOT fishing. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Luke 5:1-11
It's Called "Catching" NOT "Fishing
v.10b And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
Dear friends in Christ, our text for this morning takes place at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. St. Luke has already related the story of Jesus' birth, one story from His adolescence, Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan by John, His temptation by the devil in the wilderness, His rejection as a prophet in His hometown of Nazareth, and His healing of various diseases and demon possessions. Luke now picks up the story with Jesus calling some helpers—the first disciples—those whom Jesus would teach over the course of the next three years, and who would continue His ministry following His death, resurrection, and ascension.
Our text occurs in Capernaum—a small fishing village along the coast of the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee)—which is the hometown of Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John—and would later serve as Jesus' base of operations for His public ministry. But these are early days. Jesus has come to Capernaum to preach and teach. Yet He is so popular (already!) that "the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the Word of God." Hear that again—the crowd was pressing Him so hard to hear His Word that they were practically laying upon Him—hemming Him in on every side.
Realizing that the crowd was too close for Him to be heard by those farther away, Jesus "saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's He asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat." Jesus seizes the opportunity along the lakeshore to get into a boat and move back away from the crowd so that His voice may be better heard by all the people.
However, what happens next is when things go a little sideways. For Jesus, "when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.'" Now, beloved, we happen to live in lake country—and many people here have a passion for fishing—and will invest vast sums of time and resources into their hobby. But remember that Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and James and John were professional fishermen. Fishing the Lake of Gennesaret was their livelihood—and they were good at their craft—for together they had a small fleet of at least two boats.
Note that Simon, the professional fisherman, is somewhat skeptical of Jesus' command to go fishing. It's not the right time for fishing for one thing, and they had just finished an all-nighter in which they had been skunked! They were exhausted, having just gotten everything ready for the next day, and were no doubt looking forward to a good meal and some rest. Yet Simon answered Jesus, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."
You know, beloved, you know how Simon must have felt. There have been times when you go out fishing and don't get even the teeny tiniest nibble! Frustrating! But, as the saying goes, "They call it 'fishing' not 'catching!'"
However, this is not so when you are with Jesus, the Lord of Creation and life. For "when they had done this [let down the nets], they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They 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. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'"
So, despite their better earthly wisdom regarding fishing, Simon and Andrew let down the nets of their boats in the wrong place at the wrong time, but do so "at the word of Jesus" and it results not in "fishing" but "catching" a large number of fish—so many, in fact, that their nets become endangered of breaking under the strain.
After signaling for help from their partners, James and John, Simon's response to this miraculous event is swift indeed. For he falls down on his face before Jesus' knees, prostrating himself in an attitude of profound worship and fear, recognizing that the Man who stands before him is no ordinary man. Getting a glimpse of the glory of the Lord is a terrifying experience (just ask the prophet Moses—for God said to him in Exodus 33:20, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live."). So, Peter, in great terror cowers before Jesus' feet and asks Him to depart since Peter knows He is a sinful man and should in no way be near One such as this—who can command the fish and the sea in such a way.
Yet Jesus' response is also quick and beautiful, for "Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.'" Jesus speaks to Simon and comforts him, first of all—Do not be afraid. "Do not fear Simon, for I have not come to condemn you in your sin, but to call you to faith and hope in Me, and to appoint you to a wonderful ministry—to be a participant in My Word and work—which is Good News for all people—for it is nothing less than the full remission of all sins through faith in Me and My atoning blood shed on the cross."
Do you hear that, beloved? Jesus called Simon to "catch men." Not to "fish" for men, but to "catch" them. How? By casting wide the net of Jesus' Gospel Word throughout the world. You are familiar with this Word of Jesus from the end of St. Matthew's Gospel where the risen Jesus declares to the disciples at His ascension into heaven, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Beloved, Jesus calls you and me to this glorious task as well. A task to spread wide His Gospel net unto all the world so that all people may hear His Word of forgiveness and peace and so be "caught" in faith for Jesus.
But we, too, are afraid. It's not easy to speak up and tell people about Jesus. It's scary! We might share our faith with them—tell them the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection for them—and they might have questions! They might ask US questions—questions we don't have the answer to—that would be embarrassing and frightening all at the same time. Or, they may not receive that Gospel message with joy, but rather with scorn and disdain—they may end up mocking us—ridiculing us—and that would cause us pain—who wants that? It's a scary prospect. Much better to stay quiet and not saying anything at all. But that would be to disobey Jesus—nor would it be trusting in His Word of promise.
Yet, beloved, into your fear comes the Word of Jesus—"Do not be afraid." Do not fear—for your Jesus goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you as you go about His great call to Baptize and Teach the nations in His blessed name. He is with you always! In Word and Sacrament He comes to you to lift you up and bless with you His forgiveness and mercy—console you with His pardon and peace—restore you with His healing grace.
For this same Jesus—the Jesus whose Word called fish from the deep to fill the disciples' nets—is the same Jesus whose Word you proclaim that goes forth to fill peoples' hearts with the light and love of Jesus. That Word of the Gospel that acts as a net to catch men—has first caught you—in the waters of your Baptism—washing you in the redeeming name of God for the forgiveness of your sins. This Word catches people through simple preaching and teaching, devotions and Bible reading. It seems so weak and useless on the surface, but as St. Paul declares in his first epistle to the Corinthians (1:23-25), "but 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."
Beloved, we don't engage in "fishing" for men—that is, using our own techniques or wisdom to win people to Christ—thinking that if we can come up with a clever enough argument—or a really cool meme—that THEN people will believe in Jesus. Or, if we have some great church program, or the right kind of music to lure people into the church—then they will be won for Jesus. Not so. Jesus does not give us a fishing rod with all sorts of different bait or lures to draw people into the church (His body), but rather a simple net. A net that is the simple Gospel message of Christ crucified for sinners such as you and me. And this net "catches" people—grabs hold of them by the power of the saving work of Jesus given in Word and Sacrament.
No wonder why we don't need to be afraid! It's not our job to go "fishing" for men, but rather simply to go "catching men" by the power of Christ's own Word. The Word that filled the disciples' nets with fish—the Word that created the sun, moon, and stars—the Word that has filled your hearts with Christ at your Baptism—and feeds you daily in the richness of His love and mercy as you hear and read over and over again of His saving work for you on the cross. You are called to proclaim nothing less than Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And, beloved, it's enough. Indeed, the power of Christ crucified is MORE than enough to "catch" all men.
For that powerful Word reaches deeply into sin-darkened hearts, bringing light and joy—it reaches into sin-battered consciences—soothing them with Jesus' mercy and love—releasing them from the guilt and shame that so plagues them. Jesus' Gospel Word "catches" people with its stunning grace, and brings them to trust in Him and cast off their fear and sorrow, falling down before His life and love. As it does with you. So, go about this task with joy and thanksgiving in your hearts—not afraid—but confident in Jesus and His Word to do the work to which He has called you. After all, "from now you will be catching men," NOT fishing. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.