When There's a Calling

Isaiah 6:1-8

Luke 5:1-11

"Put out into the deep water and let down your nets…"

Luke 5:4b (NRSV)[1]

            We know Gennesaret more commonly as Lake Galilee. Jesus often taught there. Years ago when I visited places in Galilee, I noticed, the hills ran down in gentle slopes to the shoreline of the sea… Creating, in effect, a natural amphitheater in which Jesus would teach on the kingdom of God.

            And come to Jesus the people did…sometimes even crowding into the place where he stood or sat along the sea.

                                                 I

            One day, the gospel tells us, Jesus used a fisherman's boat as his pulpit. Imagine that! Listening to the Lord of heaven and earth - the sea and dry land - from a fishing boat belonging to a man called Simon.

            The church, it is said and believed, maintains this tradition of a boat - of a sailing vessel - as a place where the gospel is preached… Our sanctuary is but a prime example.   As you look up at the rafters above…you may notice that (to some) it resembles the overturned hull of a boat or ship.

            Even the pulpit, traditionally draws its place from the small area near the front of a larger boat - enclosed by a rail across the bow - and where words of instruction were sometimes spoken and heard.[2]

            Yet, of enduring interest to us in this story of Jesus - near the beginning of his ministry - is the call of Simon - known as Peter.

            It's a call story (where one is summoned) - but a different kind of call to discipleship.                   Jesus, you'll notice, only says two things here:

"Put out into deep water and let down your nets…"[3]

At face value, his remarks to the fisherman might seem rather odd…

And Peter even questions the logic:

"Whoa, Master, we tried that - and yielded nothing. All night long we tried. Zilch!"

Peter might have left the idea at that.   No fish. No dice!

(And his encounter, of course, would probably have been lost to history.)

But Peter didn't…thank goodness…and the rest is history.

            G. K. Chesterton once wrote:

When, like the disciples on the sea, after a night of fishing failure, we come to an end of human hope, then there is no hope, nothing worth believing in…

Unless someone comes to us…someone from outside of our resources. Someone who does for us that which we cannot do for ourselves.[4]

            Admittedly, we may be hard on Peter, at times - (I know that I am usually hard on him) - for the blunders he sometimes made.         But here, in this call story, we see Peter in a much better light, I believe.

"Master…(he protesteth)…Yet, if you say so,

 I will let down the nets."[5]

He does (of course)…and the catch is extraordinary. But not only are the fish the ones caught that day…So is Peter.

                                              II

            Jesus does not say here - as he does elsewhere - "Come, follow me." But the effect of Jesus' words…the effect on Peter that Jesus has…remains the same. The only protest of Peter now…is to his personal unworthiness.

            To which Jesus gives the classic divine word…the only other thing that Jesus says in the story:

       "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching

              people."[6]

                                 And so Peter did.

            Now those of you, astute in your knowledge of the gospel, will recognize something. (Me…I had to be reminded.)   This "call story" is very similar to another story of Jesus and Peter in the gospel…that appears in the last chapter of John (21:1-23).[7]    Do you remember?     The resurrection appearance of Jesus to Peter - and six other disciples - who went fishing here in Galilee...and also had no luck.

            Many (biblical teachers) believe that Luke and John may be remembering the same story of Jesus and Peter…they are very similar… Yet each of them placing the stories at different times in the ministry of Jesus…one at the beginning…and one after the resurrection.

            It certainly accounts for some things that are said here…in Luke.   Where Peter confesses…"Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"   If this were a story from later on, Peter could be recalling his denial of Jesus.

            It might also account for Jesus saying - as he often did as risen Lord -

                          "Do not be afraid…"

            In either case…the story here is one of new beginnings…and can be - as much a call to you and to me - as it was for Peter and for those who are with him.

                                            III

            What are we to make of this story of call and grace - as shown by Jesus to Simon and the others?          One dynamic may be the unforeseen sense of call as it comes to them.   Sometimes the call of Jesus comes at a time…a situation…a place where we are not expecting it.

            It could be as simple as an awareness to do something for others -

someone at work who is going through a tough time…

someone who lives on your hall - in your neighborhood - who could really use some words - your words - of encouragement.

            Those are the times when Jesus says to us…

                  "let down your nets…"

let down your guard…take a risk…help one another…and follow me.

            The call, in this case, is not direct. There's no summons…but only a suggestion. Peter already knew something of Jesus - who had come to his house and healed Peter's mother-in-law.[8]

Sometimes, only after we see…and perhaps experience…what Jesus can do in our lives - and in the lives of others, do we find ourselves in a place to respond to the simple call he makes to us.

            And, the call of Christ is one that usually offers some sense of promise. It is not a promise of financial reward, of course…(though some preachers may tell you as much) … But then again, the call can be rewarding. Sometimes - perhaps most of the time - you or I may respond to the call not knowing any more than the fact that Jesus needs us…and we must go.

            Steven Vryhof remembers and wrote of a communion service he attended in a Lutheran Church in Sweden years ago.[9]   It was a small village church…and an early hour on the Lord's Day.   Only 14 people were present for the Sacrament.

            The young blond pastor looked like he was just out of seminary. When, it appeared, that all had been served the bread and cup at the front rail, the pastor turned to put away the elements.

            Yet one of the congregants returned…now pushing an older woman in a wheelchair to the front. Thin, scraggly, colorless hair, vacant eyes… The woman was there for communion.

            There was an awkward silence in the room…until the pastor turned and noticed the women…and once again brought the elements to them.

            Carefully he administered the bite of bread…and a sip of wine…to the old woman, who was a wreck of a human being. And then he said the most important words a human being can say to another…

"Var Herre Jesus Krist…"

Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose body and blood you have received, preserve your soul unto everlasting life.

            And I suppose it was a coincidence, but it was a God-given coincidence nonetheless. At that precise moment, the bells of the church started pealing…ringing…resounding…reverberating through the church… Causing the hair to stand on the back of my head.       Heaven touched earth, and it seemed that Var Herre Jesus Krist, himself was saying "Yes, I will do that!"[10]

                  That's the promise of Jesus for us all.

            One thing seems certain…as we hear and experience the call of Christ… Those who respond and follow him will not be the same.   Peter and the others left everything - even the extraordinary catch of their lives - and followed the Lord of all.

            That fact - that act of discipleship - has always amazed me.

                        What will you do…when the call comes?

"Do not be afraid…(says Jesus),

from now on you'll be catching others."

                        And so may you.

 Endnotes