5 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 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. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”1 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Section Overview
Jesus’ public ministry has begun, and we find here the calling of the disciples. The message that Jesus has begun to proclaim in Galilee cannot be spread by him alone. The people are pressing on Jesus to hear him proclaim the word by Lake Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee), 8 miles (13 km) wide and 14 miles (23 km) long.68 Jesus gets into Peter’s boat and teaches the people while in the boat. After concluding his teaching, he instructs Peter to go out to a deeper place and let down the nets for a catch. Peter remonstrates with Jesus since they have worked all night—a better time to fish—and caught nothing. But he agrees to do what Jesus says. The catch of fish is so staggering that they need help in order to bring in the fish. In response, Peter falls before Jesus as one falls before God in a theophany, confessing his sinfulness, asking Jesus to depart from him. But Jesus tells Peter, James, and John that they will fish for people from now on, and they leave all to follow him.
Section Outline
Response
Some moments define and shape our lives forever. We encounter Jesus in a powerful way, as Peter does on this historic day. When we truly see Jesus, we recognize our own wickedness, selfishness, and narcissism. We realize that we are unworthy to be in his presence. Still, the Lord forgives all those who come to him in faith, enlisting them for his service. Jesus shows us our sin and selfishness, but he does not leave us there. He cleanses and forgives us and then calls us to serve others, to proclaim the same good news to others that freed and liberated us.