Scripture Daily

Context No. 3394 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 5:1-10: in context

1Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” 6When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. 7They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” 9For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”

Peter, an expert fisherman who has toiled all night for nothing, is told by Jesus to let down his nets again. His answer holds both weariness and faith: Master, we worked all night and caught nothing, but at your word I will let down the nets. And the catch is so great the nets begin to break and the boats begin to sink.

Then comes a surprising response. Peter falls at Jesus' knees and says, depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Nearness to Christ's power made him suddenly, painfully aware of his own unworthiness. But Jesus does not depart. He says, do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people. God meets our sense of unworthiness not by leaving us but by calling us into his service, taking the fisherman just as he is, sinfulness and all, and making him a fisher of men. The awareness of our sin, brought near to Jesus, becomes not a reason to flee but the doorway to being called.

When drawing near to God makes me aware of my own unworthiness, do I hear his "do not be afraid," and let him call me, just as I am, into his service?

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