In the calling story of Jesus’ first disciples, catching people is the payoff: the memorable line from this story, and it’s what those in the story are ultimately to do.
The story’s base comes from Mark. It is chapter one, right after the opening words of Jesus’ ministry.
16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
Matthew’s version is nearly identical to Mark’s in words and placement. It is a simple story on the surface, calling Jesus’ first disciples, that can lead to a provocative conversation about evangelism. Luke, however, further develops the story. First, he delays the account until after more teachings and healings. Jesus is going about his ministry, without the help of disciples. He comes across the same thing Mark describes: a group of fishermen tending to their nets. Unlike the other versions, there is a great crowd of people with Jesus, who decides to use the opportunity to teach outside of the synagogue: a change of routine in and of itself. He gets into Simon Peter’s boat, getting him to float just off the shore so everyone can hear and see him. What he teaches isn’t mentioned: because what Luke is doing is setting up what comes next.
Upon finishing, he turns to Peter: “Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.”
Honestly, this can’t be a welcomed request. These guys had fished all night. This isn’t the leisurely pole and rod sit in a lake, but tough, backbreaking work. Furthermore, they had finished what must have been the frustrating and not easy job of cleaning and mending their nets from everything but catching fish. Likely, these men were due for some rest, or else off to some other work for income.
Peter, showing leadership and respect, speaks for the group. “Master, we have worked all night and caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” And the miraculous catch happens.
Seeing this happen, Peter gets on his knees and says “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
It’s an odd response, and it’s helpful to unpack it.
It is likely that anyone reading the Gospel of Luke is familiar with Peter, just like we are. The thing that most stands out about him from his time running with Jesus, is his spectacular failure when he denies knowing Jesus. There are other embarrassing moments to be sure, but the denials are front and center in the crucifixion story.
The same Peter, however, is the dynamic leader who is fundamental in establishing the early followers of the post-Easter community. Peter’s visionary leadership is critical in the book of Acts, the companion volume to Luke’s Gospel, and it is Peter that fully welcomes Gentiles into the fellowship of Jesus: the intended audience for Luke’s Gospel.
Now, here’s the Peter challenge that Luke wants to address: why listen to a man best known for failing? What sort of man is Peter?
Luke starts by making Peter the primary one who interacts with Jesus. It’s Peter’s boat. Jesus addresses Peter, who then makes the decision for all of the fishermen. And even though the text says that all of his companions were stunned at the catch of fish, we are told only specifically of what Peter does.
Which leads us back to Peter’s words: “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
Peter voices his awe in this religious encounter with Jesus. It is, in many ways, too much for him to handle, and he recognizes and expresses his smallness compared to this power demonstrated by Jesus. Peter freely admits to his imperfection: perhaps well aware of his tendencies for quick reactions, which later leads to great expressions of faith, as well as awkward moments of inserting foot into mouth. Surely Jesus has encountered the wrong person.
Jesus, however, calls Peter and the others just the same…perhaps suggesting that Peter is capable of far more than he realizes. The invitation is offered to follow, and the choice is left to them. We often gloss over the results: of course they leave everything and follow Jesus. We lose sight of what a profound interruption this is in the lives of Peter and the others. Their fruitless work is already reversed: their nets are now full. And yet they walk away from simply enjoying the bounty of their good fortune. Why? Because they’ve seen the source. They have witnessed the grace of God firsthand, and feel compelled to risk their security in order to follow Jesus.
I believe that’s the parallel for us today: the willingness to risk for the sake of the Gospel.
We are called to risk anything that feeds only our security, or honor, or satisfaction, or ego, and doesn’t profess and demonstrate God’s love for us and the world.
Risking in God in this way leads us to catching people: not snaring them in nets, but helping to free them from the things that bind.
And we start by releasing ourselves…
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