by Peter Won
Welcome to this year’s Easter conference. The seniors and I have been working very hard on our messages. The title for the conference is, Encounter Christ, I pray that we can all have open hearts and minds to learn how we can encounter Christ. Through this conference we will explore Simon Peter’s relationship with Christ and how he progresses from a fisherman to a shepherd and the leader of the new church. We will study Simon Peter’ calling, the significance of his new name, his denial of Jesus, his reinstatement, and his new life in Jesus. We’ll hear stories about miracles, personal testimony about transformation, and reflect upon our own journeys’ with Jesus Christ. I pray that throughout this conference we can encounter, rencounter, and live in Jesus Christ.
Luke 5: 1-11
Key Verse Luke 5:10b “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’”
In these eleven verses Jesus begins the long and fruitful relationship with Simon Peter and his companions. Jesus calls them all and in response they leave all their comforts of home, a steady job, and a family to follow Jesus. The most difficult part of a relationship in my opinion is starting it. For example, our grade of senior guys, believe it or not wasn’t as close as it is now. We all went to cbf, but for the most part all lived kind of far from each other. Johnny always lived by the church, Josh lived in evanston, patrick lived on the south side, abraham moved to portland, and paul and I lived in Virginia. This relationship formed over multiple summers of going to cbf then playing basketball at warren park and eating mcdonalds. The close bond we share came with work and dedication to each other and sacrifices that we made for one another.
But before we dive into the passage, let’s look at what was taking place before Simon Peter’s calling. The calling was Simon Peter’s second encounter with Christ. The first encounter being Jesus going to Simon Peter’s home and healing his mother in-law. Simon Peter knew the gist of what Jesus was about, but he didn’t know him personally. He knew that Jesus was someone special, but he didn’t heed any attention to Jesus or who he really is.
Part 1: Put Out Into Deep Water
The beginning of the passage starts out with Jesus preaching along the lake of Gennesaret with crowds of people around him listening intently to him. As Jesus was teaching what was Simon doing as Jesus was preaching? Look at verse 2, “ He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.” What can we notice about Simon Peter through this simple action? First off we can notice Simon’s character. He is a hardworking man that will work all night in order to support himself and his family. Simon also thinks that he can do everything on his own power. He suffers from his pride and the feeling that he doesn’t need anyone else and that he could do everything by hard work and his own means. It’s also inferable that Simon values his fishing more than he values listening to the word of God. So, at this point in the passage Jesus becomes too crowded so he hops into Simon’s boat to distance himself. Then in verse 3 what does he ask Simon to? Can someone read verse 3 for me?
Notice how Jesus starts a relationship with Peter. He asks for a small favor that is quite easy to grant. This shows that Jesus comes to us where we’re at and wants to form a relationship with us. Also another thing to notice is that this small action makes it certain that Simon is listening to Jesus’ teaching and effectively sets up for the later challenges. Peter now is attentive to Jesus’ teaching and is learning about who Jesus is. We see how Jesus grabbed Simon Peter’s attention, and now I ask you how is Jesus attempting to grab your attention? Whether or not you want to be at this conference, Jesus could be grabbing your attention through this conference. Or through this Easter season, through his death, burial, and resurrection, he could be grabbing your attention.
Jesus finished speaking to the crowd and what did he ask Simon Peter to do now? Let’s read verse 4 together, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” To a career fisherman like Peter, this request seemed absolutely ridiculous. If I was in Peter’s shoes I would have thought, who is this carpenter who’s telling me how to fish. Jesus’ second challenge seemed totally irrational and even stupid. This whole time it is evident that Jesus’ sole mission was to captivate Simon Peter and to form this relationship with him.This was the start of the conversation and his relationship with Peter.
So what was Peter’s response to Jesus’ second challenge? Let’s look at verse 5. Can someone read this verse out loud? “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” First thing we see is how Simon Peter addressed Jesus. He called him master. Right of the bat we see Simon Peter’s respect for Jesus. We can also see that Simon Peter has worked hard all night and didn’t catch anything. Simon Peter says “ But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” This shows some reluctance to Jesus’ request, but because of the respect Simon Peter had for Jesus he did so. Simon Peter recognizes that Jesus is a special man that is deserving of his respect and obedience. Simon Peter put aside his pride and self reliance and obeyed Jesus. Obedience to Jesus’ command is the true start of a relationship with Jesus. In a relationship obedience is crucial. This relationship should be mutually beneficial for us, for Christ, and for others.
As a result of Simon Peter’s obedience to Jesus’ challenge, it describes in verse six and seven the immense number of fish they had caught. This miracle that Jesus created for Simon Peter and his partners to witness was essential for Jesus to demonstrate who he is. Luke writes that both boats were so full they began to sink. Imagine how many fish it must take to sink two boats. Jesus starts his ministry by making a miracle through this immense haul of fish and he will again appear to the disciple’s in Josh’s message with another large haul of fish. Now what was Simon Peter’s reaction to this miracle?
Let's read verse 8 all together, “ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” The first thing to note about Simon Peter’s reaction is the way that Luke writes it. He uses Simon Peter instead of Simon. This is the first instance of Luke using Simon Peter in the whole passage. So let’s focus on what this signifies. From here on out Luke uses Simon Peter instead of Simon, this is very important because this is a turning point in Simon Peter’s life. He goes from a sinful fisherman to the rock upon which the church will be built upon. He comes to Jesus recognizing his sinfulness and jesus’ holiness. Simon Peter starts his relationship with Christ by first surrendering himself before him and then by repenting of his sins. Simon Peter says “ Go away from me, signifying he left the choice up to Jesus. He knew he was unworthy of Jesus and left the relationship up to Jesus. Despite our inadequacies and flaws Jesus wants to meet us where we are and he wants to form a relationship with us. He wants us to have a relationship with him regardless of how sinful we are. We will see more about the significance of this new name in Patrick’s message.
Simon Peter falls to Jesus’ knees in repentance and surrender to Jesus’ lordship and ruling over him. Jesus approached Simon Peter and was in his boat. Simon Peter must have been filled with awe to be in the presence of God. Jesus coming to him and encountering him where he was at must have melted his heart. Jesus’ love is too irresistible.
At this point in the passage Simon Peter experienced two sets of challenges by Jesus. He started a relationship with Simon Peter through challenging him and by grabbing his attention. So as I wrote my message I asked myself how does Jesus want to grab my attention? Through this message I feel Jesus has grabbed my attention through helping me focus and work hard. Before this I felt that I have tried to dodge everything and get out of all responsibilities that is put on me. In school and in my responsibilities in and out of church I realized I have tried to take the easy way out, rather than branching out. My relationship with Christ up to this point has been more superficial than anything. Going to CBF and HBF my whole life has taught me what to say about passages and in Bible studies, but I personally struggle with accepting the word of God and the vision that Jesus has for me. I pray that I can have faith and courage to lean on Jesus instead of myself.
Part 2: You will fish for people 10b-11
So now how does Jesus respond to Simon Peter’s reaction? Let’s read verse 10b. “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” Jesus calls Simon Peter out of his sin and his fear into a relationship with him. Simon Peter leaves his sinful nature of being a self reliant man to a man who will learn to depend on Jesus. Jesus will make him into a fisher of people rather than Peter relying upon his own strength. When forming a relationship with Jesus he will provide for us and be our refuge. Beginning a relationship with Christ is a two way street where Jesus wants our all, our complete and total submission to his will, not only part of our effort.
We can now explore the second part of verse 10b, which is to be a fisher of people. So what does it mean to fish for people? Fishing is not for us to get many fish, but to serve others and to bring them to Christ. So let me tell you a quick story about a time going fishing. It was a perfect day for fishing and I was determined to catch this big fish that lived behind my house in a pond. My friends and I made a spear to skewer this fish. We lured the fish in by throwing bait close to shore and when the fish came close I threw the spear and hit the fish. I saw the knife and the end of the spear sink into the flesh of the fish and the fish swam off into the middle of the lake. Because I forgot to tie a rope to the end of the spear the fish got away despite my best efforts. Regardless of the point of that story it shows what is needed to catch a fish. You need a rod, line, hooks, and bait. We are the net and the rod that gets the fish, but the bait is Jesus’ alluring love and compassion for all. Jesus’ love for us is irresistible and when we experience this love it just radiates from us onto others. In the same way, this love jesus poured into peter overflowed from him as he conducted the charge Jesus gave him; to fish for people
Jesus uses this miracle to illustrate how great his power is. He shows how many fish he can catch so how many people will Jesus bring to Simon Peter and to himself. Jesus will do much more for us than we could ever imagine. This miracle of a large catch of fish is nothing in comparison to what Jesus will do for Peter and for us if we accept Jesus’ calling to leave our comfort zone in order to serve Jesus. He casts a vision for Simon Peter for him to be something greater than just a fisherman. Jesus casts a vision for us and for Simon Peter to be fishers of people. Jesus will make us a blessing for all peoples’ and nations through our relationship through him and through the obedience of our calling. With a relationship with Christ comes with obedience of his commands while, he will be with us along the way to mentor us and to guide us in the right path.
As we will see Jesus’ calling of Peter to be a fisher of people will later escalate to him transforming from a fisherman to a shepherd who knows his flock by each of their names. Jesus calls Peter to be the rock upon which he will build his church and to take care of his sheep which we will later see in Patrick’s and Josh’s messages.
This is the third challenge that Jesus issues to Simon Peter. To recap, the first was to set out a little from shore, the second challenge was to go out into deep water, and the third and most challenging of all jesus’ challenges is to make Peter in a fisher of people. In Mark’s account of Peter’s calling he writes “Come, follow me,”Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” It’s very important to note in Mark’s account of the calling of Peter that Jesus does everything and it is through his power alone that Peter will be a fisher of men. In Luke’s account Jesus does not say to come and follow him, rather than says to not be afraid. Our fear of not being able to acquire things of this world and being different from others inhibits us from following Jesus and to obey his calling. Our fear of being inadequate and not good enough for Jesus leads us to believe that we’re not worthy to serve him and to perform the vision that Jesus has laid out for us and for Simon Peter.
So how did Simon Peter and his companions respond to Jesus’ calling? Let’s read verse 11. “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Peter didn’t go home to say goodbye to his wife and his family, nor did he go to the market to sell all his fish. He left everything and followed Jesus. Jesus has this effect on people. They are so captivated by his love and his lordship that they are willing to leave everything for Jesus. So the question we must ask now are we willing to leave everything to follow Jesus? Peter and his companions were definitely willing to do this. What does this reveal about Peter’s character and new found relationship with Christ? Well first of all we can see that Peter surrendered everything and followed Jesus. He followed Jesus whole-hearted regardless of any difficulties or worries. Jesus entrusted Peter to be the foundation and rock of his new church, and from that point on Peter was mentored by Jesus and went with him everywhere. We will later see in Patrick’s message that to starts a relationship with Jesus or anyone in general you will have to give up something, but Jesus wants our whole attention and for us to pick up our cross daily and to follow Christ.
Can I leave everything to follow Jesus? Being born into a Christian family and in a Christian environment I honestly don’t think I have been taking this seriously. I have been taking this for granted my whole life. At this point in my walk with Christ I struggle with not being able to leave my comfort zone of having fun and hanging out with friends and doing the things I know that I am supposed to do. It is very difficult for me to leave the things of the world and the things that I enjoy in life. My fear of being different than those of the world and losing friends drive me to serve myself and my enjoyment rather than extending Jesus’ love to those around me. I realized that I’m fearful of making this commitment because I fear that I will lose the things in the world that I cherish. I pray that I can strengthen my relationship with Christ in order to say that I can truly leave everything to follow Jesus as Simon Peter and his companions have done. Throughout my life I have never been really challenged to do anything that is worth it. Submitting myself to Jesus and to his Lordship my life can bear much fruit for me and for all those around me. Jesus challenges me to accept him truly as my Lord and savior and to form a lasting and fruitful relationship with him.
In conclusion Jesus first encounters Peter and gives him three challenges. The first being the easiest, setting out a little from shore, the second being a little harder which was to set into deep water, and the third and final challenge was to become a fisher of people and to follow Jesus. Jesus calls us into a relationship with him to serve him and to serve others. He creates a vision for us and for Peter to be fisher of people. Jesus will not desert us in this relationship to be on our own, but will be with us step by step as we accept Jesus’ calling for us and as we have a relationship with him. A relationship is created with Christ when we obey his calling for us, which is to leave everything and follow him.
THE END
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