Day 12, Following Christ is a Journey, Luke 5:1-11

There was a process in Jesus’ choice of the twelve disciples that might not be obvious.  This story was not the first time Jesus had come across these men or the first time He challenged them to follow Him.

·        Jn. 1:35-42: Some, if not all, of these men were disciples of John the Baptist. Andrew (and perhaps John the Apostle) took an interest in learning from Christ.  Andrew told Peter who also took an interest.

·        Mt. 4:18-22; Mk. 1:16-20: Jesus called Andrew and Peter, and then James and John, to follow me.  They went with Christ for a time, going with Him to communities around the Sea of Galilee.  But then they returned to fishing.

·        Lk. 5:1-11: Jesus calls the same four to follow Him, which they did.  This is not the same incident as the one recorded in Matthew and Mark.  In Luke …

o   The setting is public with a multitude, in front of friends and neighbors.

o   Jesus is teaching the crowd, not just passing by.  His teaching of the word is an important context when He calls them to leave their jobs for good.

o   They are together, rather than James and John being down the shore.

o   They are cleaning the nets rather than fishing.

o   Jesus sat and taught from the boat.

o   The catch of fish and Peter’s response is missing from the other event.

Again, and this will always be the case, the miracle (the catch of fish) serves as an object lesson; it is not just a case of Jesus “wowing” the crowds.  Again, there are two stories of great catches of fish, the other one being in John 21 after Jesus’ resurrection.  Again, there are significant differences in the details.  For example, in John 21, the fish were counted and the nets did not break.

Peter’s response is important.  First he questioned obeying Jesus; after all, Jesus was a carpenter and Peter the fisherman.  But Peter had respect for Jesus and did as He said.  Then respect became worship as he fell to his knees.

Why did Peter respond like this?  Was it because he had gone back to fishing after Christ had called him earlier?  That’s reading too much between the lines.  Is it because he settled for “lesser” things, fishing for fish instead of men?  Again, no; not every follower of Christ is required to leave his job behind.

Peter fell to his knees because he knew he was in the presence of Holiness!  That’s what you do when you are in the presence of God.  Everyone, including the four men, was astonished at the catch of fish.  But we are only told of one in the multitude who  fell to his knees.

Think about Isaiah (Isa. 6), Moses at the burning bush, Joshua in the presence of the Captain of the LORD’s army, of Samson’s parents, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.  This submissive worship is fundamental to the call to serve God.  First, acknowledge your sinfulness; then worship the Holy One.  That is the only context out of which we are qualified to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!