Luke 5:1-11

Take a minute and read the passage here if you haven’t yet.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205%3A1-11&version=NIV

Luke tells us Jesus was teaching and people were gathering in hoards to “hear the word of God” spoken by this humble man from Nazareth. While we should really take a moment to be impressed with how Jesus ingeniously made space for more people to hear him while simultaneously avoiding being pushed into the lake, I also want to take a step back from the scene to notice where Simon, James and John are.

Unbeknownst to them, they are about to step into a vital role in this narrative.  But in this moment while the shoreline is teeming with eager listeners, they are just trying to wrap things up after an unsuccessful night’s work. Funny how Jesus often reaches for people who aren’t even looking for him.  These three men were chosen to become Jesus’ closest friends and followers, but right then, they weren’t even listening to his words.

Sure, Simon was respectful and helpful when Jesus got in his boat and asked him to put out from shore so he could teach from there. I imagine he sat listening from that point on. Did Jesus’ words begin to uncover a need in him that was deeper than his need to go home and sleep?

Presumably Jesus had been teaching for some time when the crowds dispersed.  He and Simon were alone in the boat on the edge of the sea.  Simon doesn’t have an inkling of the invitation he is about to receive.  In all likelihood his mind is consumed with a tired, aching back and a list of unpaid bills rather than with Jesus’ words. Jesus is gracious.  He doesn’t tell him off for being distracted.  He gets Simon’s attention by proving he can provide more powerfully and bountifully than Simon has ever imagined. He talks Simon into one more cast of his net.
Simon’s compliance is probably just an effort at being respectful. Simon was a fisherman. Jesus was a talker. What did he know about fishing? But people seemed to respect Jesus. Why rock the boat? Why not in this case? He humours Jesus.

Suddenly there are fish everywhere. He yells for his friends to come help. They are literally sinking under the weight of this provision and now Simon understands he has been humouring, rather than actually paying attention to, someone who in fact deserves worship!

Simon, understandably, freaks out. His gut reaction is to run. He understands he does not belong in this man’s presence.

Jesus’ response is to offer him a job.  (To be fair, he first tells him not to be afraid – that’s a refrain he, and we, will hear throughout this book.)  In fact, the job offer is more of an announcement than an offer. So Simon and his friends drop everything – their nets, their boats, the amazing catch that got their attention in the first place, everything. And they follow. Somehow, in that moment, they recognized something every believer has to realize:

Jesus is everything.  Jesus is worth everything.

If I’m being honest, I think sometimes I humour him. I go to church, give my tithe, do my devos. I think maybe I’m doing him a favour by letting him “in my boat” But when he catches my attention, when I glimpse his glory… suddenly I realize who I’m talking to. It’s beautiful and frightening and humbling.  It’s worth everything.

I need to look back and remember those moments,  but I also need to look for them in my day to day life. His presence, his provision, it’s in every meal I eat, every breath I take. My family, my health, even in the tough things that shape and grow me.

“Depart from me Lord for I am a woman of unclean lips!”

“Wait no! Never leave. Thank you for everything you’ve given me. Help me to see more and more clearly that none of it compares to knowing you.”