Luke 5:1-26
You Will Be Catching Men

Last week’s passage revealed Jesus’ authority over the spiritual world (when he cast out demons) and over the physical world (when he healed diseases). This week’s passage reveals his authority over two more realms. Before Jesus healed the paralytic man lowered through the roof by his friends, Jesus forgave his sins, displaying to the scandalized Pharisees and scribes his authority to forgive. Jesus told Simon to let down his nets after a long night of futile effort, and the miraculous catch of fish demonstrated Jesus’ authority over the animal kingdom. By demonstrating his authority over various arenas of human life, Jesus was revealing, to those who had eyes to see, who he is: God.

Pastor Dave stressed a point that is easy to overlook if you read too quickly. Simon was a professional fisherman; Jesus was a carpenter and itinerant teacher. No one would be surprised if Simon had responded to Jesus’ command to put out his boat and let down his net by saying, “Stay in your lane, bro! You don’t know what you’re talking about.” But Simon responded to Jesus’ authority by obeying, even if he might have rolled his eyes. He was then humbled when the result proved that Jesus’ authority trumped his expertise. We implicitly tell Jesus to stay in his lane when we respect someone else’s authority and expertise more than his. It might be our own; it might be a medical professional’s, a boss’s, or a political leader’s. We disrespect Jesus’ authority when we refuse to even try to obey a hard command, such as forgiving someone who has hurt you or caring for “the least of these.” If, as Dave said, all lanes are Jesus’ lanes – both directions of the highway and all the surface streets too – then no one rivals his position of authority in any part of our lives. Pray daily for the humility to bow before Jesus’ authority over absolutely everything! Pray for the ability to obey Jesus, even if only “because you say so.” (v5) That’s a good start.

What is your calling? What mission in life does God have for you? It may or may not have anything to do with your occupation. The story of the miraculous catch isn’t really about fish, as verse 10b makes clear: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Simon’s calling was to preach the gospel, which he certainly did not understand at this point. Eventually, though, the memory of the superabundant catch of fish certainly taught Simon that his ministry would have unimaginable results, and not because he had developed a new expertise in public speaking but only because of God’s power. We are never too old to ask, “Lord, what is my calling, if only for today?” and then to affirm, “You can do anything, Lord! Work in and through me.”

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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