Luke 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets."
When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.
So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who are partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people."
When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
What a simple statement. What a profound story it tells.
When Peter, James, and John become disciples of Jesus, they leave behind everything they ever knew. Steven Curtis Chapman calls it “reckless abandon.” I’m sure that’s what it seemed like in the eyes of the crowd, but in light of what just happened it’s not really all that reckless. Audacious? Yes? A little scary? Perhaps. But given what they’ve just experienced I’m not sure we can call it “reckless.”
Think about what’s just happened—Jesus has shown up at the seaside, crowd in tow. He turns to Simon, who is wrapping it up after a failed effort at fishing. I can certainly imagine Simon and the other fisherman are frustrated at an empty catch. Then this young rabbi shows up, climbs into Simon’s boat, and asks to be pushed out a ways. I picture Simon shrugging with a, “Sure, why not? This day can’t get any worse.” attitude.
We don’t have a record of what Jesus said to that crowd. I wonder what he taught that day. But it’s had an effect of some sort on Simon, because when Jesus suggests they try for another catch, he agrees. He points out that it seems to be a useless task, but he agrees nonetheless, saying, “If you say so, I will let down the nets.”
If you say so.
Something in Jesus’ teaching that day has sparked a notion in Simon—that there might be something special about this teacher from Nazareth. And the teacher’s suggestion, though impractical and most likely leading to failure, is worth following.
And the rest, as they say, is biblical history. The nets break. The boats nearly sink. The catch is, in a word, miraculous. Simon realizes he’s in the presence of supernatural power that must come from God, and he falls to his knees in repentance. Jesus replies simply and directly:
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
And with that, they follow.
Following Jesus at times may look reckless, but the kind of decision Simon and the others make is not based on a hunch. It’s not a choice they make out of nowhere. They’ve heard the authority of the teacher. They’ve seen his power demonstrated. They’ve experienced his grace. In light of that, the call is not unreasonable.
It is irresistible.
Song: “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman
Lyrics: Click here
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Have you known people in your life that have made life decisions based on their faith that might have been called “reckless?” Have you experienced that yourself? What were the circumstances of that call and response, and how did God move to confirm (or correct) that decision-making process?
When discerning God’s call, what practices, prayers, and Scripture are helpful for you as you consider what he is asking you to do? Are there other resources or disciplines that are helpful for you?
Is God calling you to make a decision today that involves a bit of risk? Spend some time in prayer before God, asking his authority, power, and grace to made real as you seek his will.