Identity of the King 4: The Fisher of Humanity
For Meditation
This passage is famous for Jesus’ calling of Peter and his friends to become “fishers of men.” But what is often overlooked is that Jesus himself is the supreme Fisher of men in this story. He wisely and winsomely lures Peter and his colleagues into loving relationship with himself, leaving everything behind to do so.
As we explore the identity of Jesus in this section of Luke, we see Jesus as one who comes after us with his irresistible grace. It’s striking first of all that Jesus does not seek out the educated or religious as his followers- he seeks out normal fishermen in the midst of the daily grind. At least initially, he doesn’t call them out of their work, but rather enters into their work, fulfilling their greatest ambitions in the most fantastic catch of their lives!
But ultimately, he calls them to leave everything and follow him. And they do; not under compulsion, but because they are so deeply moved by this Person-- this person who has captured their longings, and now all they want is to join him in his work. Have you been caught by this Man? How do you know if you have? We’ll explore those questions together this week.
This week, our services were canceled due to inclement weather. In lieu of worshiping together at Third, we worshiped with our neighbors and families in our homes. Our Snow Day Worship Guide can be found here.
Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
