Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11They left everything and followed him.

Copyrighted material that appears in this article is included under the provisions of the Fair Use Clause of the National Copyright Act, which allows limited reproduction of copyrighted materials for educational and religious use when no financial charge is made for viewing. Catholic Lectionary. (2009). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

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1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.2 He saw two boats there alongside thelake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.5 Simon said in reply, Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.

6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.

7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.

11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.Fishing was important to the first century economy but it was not a free enterprise.Even if fisherman who owned their own boat they were only parts of a state-run system of financial relationships.The fishing industry was controlled by the ruling leaders who issued fishing rights or in modern terminology, fishing licenses to brokers or tax collectors, who in turn sold them to the fishermen.This reading is truly a course in obedienceOften times we consider the day-to-day decisions we make to be insignificant.

Peters decision to obey Christs request to to put out a short distance from the shore, would be a life changing decision. He probably thought of is as an insignificant decision, maybe Peter just needed a break from his cleanup tasks, maybe he was following the Spirits instructions, but for whatever reason he complied with the request.Again Peter obeyed another of Jesus request to cast his nets into the sea even though he knew there werent any fish in the area.The result of Peters decisions were miraculous, a catch so large he needed help to bring it to shore. Peters complete and compelling history of submitting to the Lords will and then experiencing His blessings convinced

him to give up everything and follow Jesus.So never assume that your day-to-day decisions are insignificant.It is those decisions that will form and guide your life along the path to your eternal reward.

5:1-11 Call of Simon the FishermanJesus had begun recruiting.Simon/Peter is the first to be convinced because of the catch.James and John also join Jesus.Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.

Simon Peter was overwhelmed by this miracle, and his first response was to feel his own insignificance in comparison to Jesus greatness. Peter knew that Jesus had healed the sick and driven out demons, but he was amazed that Jesus cared about his day-to-day routine and understood his needs. God remains interested not only in our eternal life but also in granting us the grace to live daily, a Christian life.There are two requirements for coming to God. Like Peter, we must recognize our own sinfulness.

Then, like these fishermen, we must realize that we cant save ourselves and that we need help. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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