Luke 5:1-11

 It’s been really hot in Vannes this week, above 30°. At those sorts of temperatures, even our apartment which is made from stone gets quite warm. 

Josh is with us and has been completing some important jobs including painting the apartment and doing some demolition work in preparation for the kitchen which is ordered for installation in September. The week has had its trials with the toilet infeed pipe breaking and flooding the bathroom, quite stressful but Josh was able to find a new and better replacement connection, so we thanked the Lord he was with us when that happened.

Very nearby to us though is Lac Étang au Duc, a peaceful place to go and walk or sit. A breeze blows across the lake, and in the shade of the trees, it’s a very pleasant place to be on a hot summers day. We were astonished to see a creature a little bit bigger than a cat that looked like a beaver sitting cleaning itself on a rock. Mhairi found it was in fact a muskrat. Also in the lake are many different types of fish including rainbow trout and pike as well as eels. You can fish there but we haven’t seen anyone doing that, the fishing is better in the Golfe de Morbihan. And if there are other people talking on the other side of the lake, their voices are magnified across the water.

I hope you enjoyed Matariki holiday last weekend. Today we will continue our series at the point where Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him. If you remember last time, Jesus had been in Capernaum preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. He had said that he needed to move on from Capernaum around Galilee « to preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. » The disciple Peter’s family originally came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but during this early period of Jesus’ ministry, Peter was known as Simon and living in Capernaum where he and his brother Andrew were in partnership with two other fishermen, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist so he heard John preaching to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. And last time you will remember that Simon had witnessed Jesus heal his Mother-in-law of a fever. Simon would have already been interested in what Jesus was saying and doing as many others were. He was probably one of those who didn’t want Jesus to leave Capernaum. But Simon’s life was changing, and he would not be the same person anymore. Even his name would be changed to Peter!

Luke 5:1-3

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Can I borrow your boat? It started off something small, but did Simon realise what he was letting himself in for. That’s the way things often start with the Lord. He wants to see if we are willing to help, to go out of our normal way. I’m sure that after a long night's fishing, Simon was ready to rest for the day, but the Lord asked Simon to take him out a little way from the land. That required an extra effort, some overtime, one last push for the day. Simon said YES. He was available to do what the Lord asked him to. It was a sliding doors moment. Jesus went out to speak to the multitudes in Simon’s boat on the water. Sound travels very well on water. Sound moves at a faster speed in water (1500 meters/sec) than in air (about 340 meters/sec) because the mechanical properties of water differ from air. Temperature also affects the speed of sound (e.g. sound travels faster in warm water than in cold water). So, Jesus speaking using the natural amplification of the water could be heard very clearly by the multitudes. They were so interested to hear what he had to say, things that they had not heard from the other teachers in the synagogue. Not new things but a clear explanation of the Word of God. It is easy for a teacher to say what a crowd wants to hear but Jesus didn’t teach like that. He often said challenging, difficult things but the people were amazed. Yes, many on the crowd were there for the miracles only but many were there with their ears open, ready to learn.

Luke 5:4-5

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Jesus told Simon to go further out into the deep and let down his nets there. Literally go to the deep end. We don’t know if Simon was afraid to go out there that late in the day. He just seemed to think it was a waste of time.

Experienced fisherman know the best places to go and at the best time of day. When you’ve been doing something for a very long time, you gain the experience of what to expect in any situation. Red at night, shepherd’s delight, red in the morning shepherd’s warning. Often, we settle into a life where we know what to expect. We get comfortable. Sometimes we get a surprise that shakes our world. So, you’re going to be taken by surprise when things suddenly change and you’re most likely not going to be prepared for it.

Luke 5:6-9

And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;

When they listened and obeyed what Jesus said they got a big surprise. The net was so full of fish it was breaking, and they immediately needed help to haul in the catch.

Simon realized what a miracle this was and was astonished. At the same time, in the light of the holiness of Jesus, Simon was suddenly confronted with his own weaknesses and shortcomings. What he thought he knew, he didn’t. He was shaken. It was terrifying to be out of control. He had no experience in managing such a large catch. He had to quickly adapt to the new situation. He did what he knew. He called on his fishing partners to help him. I think the miracle was personal for Simon. Jesus reached Simon with something that would be meaningful for a fisherman. the new situation called for a complete change of his life not a makeover.

Luke 5:10-11

and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

The Lord’s plans are much greater than we think. And see they had to forsake all to follow him. They would not be able to continue to live the same old life as before. There was no other way of taking on the new life than to get rid of the old life entirely. That has been Jesus’s call to many people down through the ages. You can’t make both things work, leave your nets and follow me! We all have our safety nets. Could be a relationship. Could be money. Could be a job. Could be our ability to think on our feet. But Jesus calls us to leave our nets and follow him. Will we trust in ourselves or will we trust in Jesus. It’s as simple as that.

Life can change in a flash; there is no time for hesitating when Jesus calls you. Don’t miss the boat.

Here in Europe, they are worried about many things. About the economy, about their finances, about their health and now about World War III. People know the politicians don’t have the answer. There are many voices claiming they know the right way. But the Lord says to all of us, “This is my Beloved Son, listen to him” and “Leave your nets and follow me”.

There are more people willing to listen now than ever. If 100 extra people turned up at PCC on Sunday because Russia invaded Israel and World War III looked like it was going to break out in the Middle East, and then the Lord destroyed the Russian Army on the Mountains of Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel 38, we probably would not have enough Communion Juice and Coffee for morning tea let alone be ready to run evening services, kids and youth, home groups to teach them about End Times ! The real question is, would we be able to change tack, to use a boating term. Or would we say, sorry we’re just not geared up for this!