INTRODUCTION
Jesus' discipling style had definable phases.
1. PREPARATION - First, there is the "Come
and see" stage" of John 1:35-42. They were given
an invitation, not a responsibility. Initially, Jesus did not
ask his disciples to leave everything and follow Him. Instead,
He responded to their curiosity by inviting them to come and see
where He was staying. John tells us "they stayed with Him
that day." He pressure them into a premature commitment,
but gave them time to consider what they saw. This phase lasted
about 4 months. Most of us have enough information to make the
right decision.
2. SEPARATION - The second phase is the "Come
and follow me" stage initiated in Matthew 4:18-22. During
this phase of discipleship, Jesus called them to leave their professions
and to make a much deeper commitment. This phase lasted about
10 months.
3. EDUCATION - Finally, there is the "Come
and be with me" stage. The call did not come orally,
but from within. During this twenty-month period of time Jesus
prepared these disciples to become disciplers.
4. UTILIZATION – This is the "Go"
phase. The disciples are now disciplers.
Our text falls within the third phase of Jesus'
style of discipleship. Jesus had called these disciples away from
their professional lives to follow Him. They made a direct response
to that call (Mark 1:16-20), but only for a short period of time.
After a short tour of ministry with Jesus in Capernaum and the surrounding
villages (Mark 1:21-39, Luke 4:31-44, the men returned to their
nets (Luke 5:2) in an attempt to straighten out their personal affairs.
It is here that we are invited to participate in our text.
I. THE FAILURE – In verse five we learn
that these disciples had "worked hard all night" but in
spite of their best efforts they had come up empty handed. They
knew how to fish. They knew where to fish. They knew when to fish.
They weren't amateur anglers they were fishermen. They were fishermen!
It's one thing to fail at some new venture, but quite another to
fail at something you know how to do. The only thing harder than
that is admitting that you've failed.
II. THE FRUSTRATION
A. THE PRESSURE - Of all the times Jesus could
have picked to show up He had picked the worst. The weeks that they
had spent following Jesus had cost them financially, so they had
to work extra hard to make up for their lost income. Following Jesus
was okay, but it didn't pay the bills. If they were going to provide
for their families, then Peter and his partners had to get their
nets ready for another night of fishing.
B. THE INTERRUPTION – While Peter and his partners
were working feverishly, Jesus was teaching the crowd that had gathered
around Him. Peter and his fishing partners are hanging their nets
up to dry and making needed repairs, when Jesus interrupts him with
a request. It seems that He wants to use Peter's boat as a pulpit
and He needs Peter's help with this project. Complying with Jesus
request would complicate Peter's schedule, but he couldn't bring
himself to say no. As Peter moved toward his boat he may have been
thinking, "Maybe Jesus will tell one of His short parables
and I'll be able to get back to work."
C. THE INCONVENIENCE – Jesus was always interesting
to listen too, but when there's work to be done it's hard to concentrate
on what He's saying. Jesus didn't seem to understand that Peter
didn't have time for this. Peter was looking longingly at the nets
that needed his attention, when Jesus blessed the crowd and sent
them home. "At last," Peter thought, "I'll be able
to get back to my nets." As soon as Jesus had finished speaking
to the crowed He turned to Peter and said, "let's go catch
some fish." Peter couldn't believe his ears. This would undo
the work he had already done. Peter began to object, "Master,
we worked hard all night and caught nothing." The basis for
this statement is the fact that Peter is a fisherman. He knows that
you do not fish in the deep water with nets. He knows when to fish,
where to fish and how to fish. He was a fisherman. It was the way
he made his living. It was his profession. Perhaps Peter wanted
to say it differently, but he was polite and simply said, "we
fished hard last night and we didn't catch anything."
III. THE FAITH
A. A HESITANT FAITH – Peter's head said "NO," but his
heart said "YES!"
1. Peter's first reaction
was "I don't think so."
2. Peter's delayed
response was "But if you say so."
3. Peter's obedient
reliance was "I will do so."
B. AN OBEDIENT FAITH – In spite of what he thought,
Peter acted on what Jesus said. This is reminiscent of Mary's "Be
it unto me according to thy word" and "what ever He says
to you, do it." This proves that faith is not a feeling, but
action based upon a received word. Peter did not set the boundaries
or take the initiative in this event. To the contrary, he merely
responds to the word spoken to him by Jesus.
C. A FAITHFUL GOD – Peter's faith enabled him to
participate and benefit from Jesus' guidance, but it was Jesus who
performed the miracle, not Peter's faith.
IV. THE FRUIT
A. OF OBEDIENCE – They netted so many fish that
the nets began to break and the boat began to sink. In an attempt
to handle the abundance of fish they had encountered, they signaled
their partners to come and help them. Both boats could not contain
the fish that they had netted. They filled the boats until they
were beginning to sink and yet there were more fish in the net.
B. OF REALIZATION – Peter sees beyond the miraculous
catch of fish and realized that the Miracle Worker was greater than
the miracle He had just worked. His boat is on the verge of sinking,
but the same Peter who had been mending nets while Jesus was preaching
now falls face down on slimy fish and acknowledges his sinfulness
and Jesus' allness. He had seen Jesus' power before, but this time
he was more than just a spectator; he was on the receiving end of
the miracle. Jesus had broke into his world and proven Himself to
be more than just a master teacher. Instead of referring to Him
as Master, Peter now calls Him Lord (kurios) and leaves everything
to follow Him.