February 7-Epiphany 5-St. Luke 5:1-11

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Grace, mercy and peace will be with you, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.’ (2 John 3) Amen.

‘But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart form me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”’ (V. 8)

Our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s first president gives a fitting summary of this verse for us. C. F. W. Walther, in his well-known Law and Gospel, says: “Unless a Christian clearly understands this fact, he ceases to be a Christian. What constitutes a person a Christian is this believing knowledge that he is a miserable, accursed sinner, who would be lost forever if Christ had not died for him.”[1]

Dr. Walther makes this statement to you. He makes this statement to me. This theologian directs this statement of his to each Christian. It is only the trusting faith planted by the Holy Spirit. That faith watered by the word of God and grown into a flourishing tree full of fruit by the third member of our Trinitarian God (Small Catechism II: 3rd). This it is which allows us to be and remain a saint and child of God who knows he is at the same time (Romans 7) a miserable, accursed sinner knowing we are lost forever without Christ.

Dr. Luther phrased an answer to a similar question in this way. Dr. Luther was asked what was the first step in religion. His reply, “Humility.” What is the second? That faithful Doctor stated, “Humility.” What is the third? Again, “Humility.”[2]

It is this same attitude that the Apostle Peter assumed when he was first called as a disciple of Jesus. That great sinner took the same attitude you and I take each Sunday as we confess our sins to begin the service. Peter tells Jesus, ‘“Depart form me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”’ (V. 8) He declared himself to be ‘a miserable, accursed sinner, who would be lost forever’ without Christ.

However, though Peter says all this in his declaration for the group of being a sinful man, he does not yet understand what he asks. At this point, Peter wants Jesus to go away. We know that to ask this would be the worst thing. For you and me to be without Jesus would leave us a poor miserable sinner, condemned to eternal death for our sins.

Peter and the others felt this way because they knew where the fish should have been. Yet those fish had not been where Jesus told them to go for the entire previous night of fishing. These men were experienced professional fishermen so they knew this. Those of you who are fishermen, you know where and when the fish will be biting on Long Lake or Artichoke Lake or Big Stone Lake; wherever you do your fishing.

If you went out and fished all day at the best spots for each time of day and caught nothing then I arrived as you where loading up your boat and equipment. If I then told you to go out and fish one of those spots just one more time, you would think I was crazy. You would probably tell me as much very bluntly. I of course, would have no ability or power to cause the fish to bit anymore than you, but this set up is exactly what Luke tells us happened to Peter and James and John and whoever else went fishing with them that day.

These men probably reacted in much the same way with Jesus. Peter and the others could have told Jesus He was crazy. They could have told Him to do the work Himself. Or, that if Jesus would have preached a shorter sermon, He could have sent the crowds home before it became necessary to use a boat. Yet, they don't. Peter shows that he, at least, had a willing heart. He had been instructed in the faith from the time that he was in the womb through adulthood. Peter trusted in his daily work, as in all of life, that God would see him through. Even if the fish were no where to be found.

After all, this was the age-old struggle for daily bread and such a struggle can create sin and doubts, making us feel distant from God[3]. Peter for one does not seem to be such a person. He seems, from this account of Luke, that he trusted God to provide his daily bread (see, St. Mt. 6:9-15). So, these men were a bit more polite about it because they knew Jesus was a respected teacher and so they humored Him. ‘And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”’ (V. 5)

Jesus may have stepped up the miracle in this case. It is entirely possible that when Jesus told these men to put out to fish, it was to some random spot out in the deep water. When He was in the middle of preaching to the crowds because of the press of those hearers, standing in a boat made sense. It allowed Jesus freedom of space from the crowds and it allowed the crowds to hear Him better. So, instead of Jesus telling them to fish in one of the likely spots, when He was done preaching, Jesus may have just pointed to a random spot out in the deep water.

This would have been understandable for the hearers of Jesus’ sermon and especially to those fishermen Peter and Andrew, James and John. Everyone in this scene, including Jesus, regardless of whether they were professional fishermen or not, understood enough of that occupation from conversation and observation. In other words, they had an idea of a good spot from talking with Peter or John or the others.

So, why then is Peter willing to do this? Jesus’ request of him contradicted everything Peter had learned over his career as a fisherman. In Peter’s experience, the best time to fish on the Sea of Galilee, here called Gennesaret, was at night. Jesus was telling him to try in broad daylight. Peter knew from experience that the fish would be along the shoals on the water’s edge. So he went there for the best fishing. Jesus was saying, “Go out in deep water.” Again, the opposite of what Peter knew to be true.

This connects with you and me. After all, when we are told to trust in God it is often that we are to do something that goes against everything we know to be true. The Word of God at times flies in the face of all human reason. So, you and I go on in faith. ‘Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.’ (Psalm 112:4) We trust our Savior that He understands what is going on and will guide us through even when it makes no sense.

‘And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”’ (V. 5) Peter is essentially telling Jesus and you, there is no way there are any fish out there right now. Peter and the others were cutting their losses and going home. That is why they are on shore cleaning their nets when Jesus finds them. Peter could have said, “what do you know about fishing anyway Jesus, you’re a carpenter!” We see that teachable heart again in this statement of Peter. Peter complains as one who has worked hard and seen nothing for his effort.

This is different though. Peter is tired and dejected, but he goes anyway. Logic and reason and common sense all would have told him to turn Jesus away, but not faith. Peter’s faith as an Old Testament Christian, one of that faithful remnant (ex. 1 Kings 19:1-18) we always hear about throughout the Old Testament, tells him different. That faith tells him this is the guy to take at His word. So, Peter finally says, “Okay, Jesus. I will go because you say so.”

These are tests of faith we are seeing in Luke. Are they tests to show Jesus if these men are up to the task He has for them? Or are they tasks that are primarily for those who would become four of the Twelve. Leaders among equals.

Jesus still tests you and me. Are we the ones who hear Luther and agree with him? Are we the ones who understand that the first three steps of faith are the same? They are humility, humility, and humility. Do we serve the least of these? Do you wash the feet of others? Do you share a cup of water with one who is in need? Do you forgive that person who tests your patience and needs a bit more grace and forgiveness than most? It is truly a powerful trust given to us through faith when a Christ-follower responds with, “It might be hard, but because You say so, Jesus, I will do it!” Even if the miserable sinner who is still part of each of us says, I don’t want to. Or, I don’t like that person. Or, that is inconvenient. The faith given by the Holy Spirit says to Jesus, “Yes, I will! I will do so with the joy I have been given in Christ.”

‘And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” They left everything and followed him.’ (Vv. 10-11) This is in response to Peter’s desperate cry that he is a sinful man and unworthy to remain in Jesus’ presence. When you get home, read Isaiah 6 for a similar response. Jesus does not brush off this cry for mercy. Rather, Jesus tells this sinner what He has in store for him. Jesus has a greater vision for Peter than catching fish and cleaning nets. We see in Jesus’ words the fulfillment of 1 Chronicles 29:12, which states: ‘Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.’ Jesus is agreeing with what Peter points out. This miracle had nothing to do with any of these fishermen and Peter knew it. This had everything to do with God’s work. So, God always gets the credit.

Jesus is telling Peter to look at a higher expectation for his own life. Jesus is showing him what a life catching fish had prepared him to do now. The same is true for you and me today.

We also are called not simply to be a neighbor or a student or an employee or a club member or even a churchgoer. Each of us has a “sphere of influence”. Yours is different than mine and likely includes people who I will either never meet or who would never listen to what I have to say. Each of us in our personal “sphere of influence” is a disciple and servant of Jesus Christ. Your love for Christ changes everything about you and about your value system. So, we are called to leave it all behind.

In Peter’s case, this actually meant the abandoning of family, house, friends; the life he had known before. For you and me, it has not been that drastic. Yet, because of our love for Christ and because Christ now lives in you (Galatians 2:20), there are certain people you may have dealings with, but they do not make your close circle of friends. What the Holy Spirit, through Luke, is telling you with this final verse is that you will be called out of you “comfort zone”. There are times when you are expected to share the gospel at a time or with a person you do not especially care for. The same is true for me.

When we are called to this as Christians, do we know where we are going? Not generally. Do we know what the future will bring because of our actions and love for Christ? Most often, no. All each of us knows when we are sent to share the gospel is that Jesus is who He says He is. He is Lord. He is God. He has redeemed you and made you a child of your heavenly Father (Galatians 4:4-7). For you and me, that is all we need to know.[4]

With trusting hearts, each of you has turned your backs on any other life and has followed your Savior. By God’s grace, you have comforted those in need and given them faith (grieving/sickness and hard times of life). You have taught others the faith and led them to Christ (Sunday School/child raising). It is this amazing love of Jesus Christ who died for your sins that you will ‘dwell in the house of the Lord forever’ (Psalm 23:6) rather than be lost forever.

And so it is as we prayed in the Introit Psalm:
‘Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commandments! …
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and His righteousness endures forever. …
He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
he has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his horn is exalted in honor.’ (Psalm 112:1, 3, 7-9)

All is yours because in faith, you are that righteous man. Your are the one the Psalmist refers to and praises the Lord for. This is all true for you because of the great and amazing love of God in Christ Jesus our Savior. You and I have left our selfish life behind and now live for Christ and His kingdom. ‘Praise the LORD!’ Jesus, because you say so, I will!

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations, p. 47. Entry #169.
[2] Ibid, p. 105. Entry #474.
[3] The Lutheran Study Bible, p. 1716 note on 5:1-11.
[4] See Lutheran Hour Ministries website for their sermon on this text http://www.lhm.org/.