Our lesson this week is taken from two of the Gospels, Matthew 4:12-25 and Luke 5:1-11. It is a simple miracle, but the miracle itself is not the source for the lessons we learn from this story.
Before the miracle is a revelation of facts gleaned from the book of Isaiah regarding the place where the prophesied Messiah would be found. Verses 15-16 are taken from Isaiah 9:1-2. If you look at a map of Palestine, you can see that the territory given to Zebulon and Naphtali when the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes named after the sons of Jacob. Ephraim and Manasseh were named for the sons of Joseph.
This passage in Isaiah describes the location where the Messiah would live for a time. Matthew says in verse 13 that He lived in Capernaum by the sea in the general territory of Zebulon and Naphtali. This area was predominately Gentile, inhabited by Egyptians, Arabians, and Phoenicians. This is historical information and not explained in the text.
These people were living in darkness (verse 16), meaning that they did not know or understand that this man, Jesus, was the promised Messiah. They had the prophecy, but they did not understand the meaning of it. This is also the place where Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The accounts in Matthew and Luke differ somewhat in detail, but the end result is the same. Luke’s account gives us more detail thus revealing some interesting lessons for our consideration.
The crowd grew larger and larger as Jesus’ miracles and teachings preceded Him. The miracles were what drew people to Jesus, and we can understand that. It is the visible results that draw us to situations and to people. The teachings were secondary.
With the crowd pressing Jesus toward the Sea of Galilee, Jesus sees two boats. The fishermen are in the water washing their nets. They have fished all night, but their efforts did not bring about a positive result. They returned home empty. Tired from being up all night and working to get their equipment ready for the next trip out, they are probably paying little attention to the crowd and this stranger who is speaking to them. Suddenly the stranger boards Simon Peter’s boat and tells him to “Put out into the deep and let down the nets.” Peter explains that there are no fish biting. He knows because they have been out there all night with no success. But look at what he says. “But at your word I will let down the nets.” There is no argument; only complete compliance. Immediately, the nets were filled with fish. There were so many, in fact, that the nets began to break. Andrew must have been with Peter because verse 7 says, “They signaled to their partners.” They needed help, and the response came quickly. Both boats were filled with fish. There were so many that their boats began to sink. Peter was so overcome that he fell to his knees and told the Lord, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
It would seem that Peter realized the power of God, that God had intervened in this situation; and Jesus was the deliverer of that power. He felt he was a sinner, and he wanted to disassociate himself as quickly as possible. Jesus recognized this fear, and told him not to be afraid. His new assignment would be to catch men.
The fishermen brought their boats back to shore, left everything, and followed Jesus. How remarkable is that! On the basis of this miracle, four men left their business and followed after a man they hardly knew, having no idea what their lives would be like in the immediate future, much less the distant future.
We learn some valuable lessons from this incredible story. Ordinary men, with ordinary jobs, find greatness in a most unusual place. Doing their daily routine, they found the basis for a life of service to the Lord. Our daily routines are filled with opportunities to serve the Lord. A trip to the bank, the doctor, the market, a meeting with a stranger can all provide us with opportunities to talk about our faith, give an invitation to worship, pray for someone in need, or learn of a need we might be able to meet.
Peter took a leap of faith when he obeyed Jesus and took the boat out into the water after an unprofitable night of fishing. The Lord knew how to get his attention. He used his job to show him a new way of life. Though we do not have miracles today, we should be ready to recognize opportunities as they come to us.
Peter identified himself as a sinful man. How quick are we do identify our sins, our failures, and our weaknesses? It is hard to accept our weaknesses, but the fact is that we all have them.
All four of these men accepted the invitation to “catch men.” They had no idea what that meant at the time, but they would be given more opportunities than they could imagine to teach and be fishers of men.
When Matthew tells this story, he leaves out the details. One thing he does say that Luke omits is that James and John, the owners of the other boat, “left the boat and their father and followed him.”
There is a lesson in that for us. Sometimes, it takes leaving family to follow Jesus. Let me give you an example. I know a lady who is as faithful as anyone in her attendance to worship. She believes in the Bible, in God, that Jesus is God’s Son; but she is not a Christian. The reason is that her father is a member of a denomination. She knows he is wrong in his belief, but she refuses to acknowledge that she is living in sin. Though she was baptized years ago, she was baptized in the denomination. Only she and God know her heart when it comes to her baptism; but even if she felt she was being baptized for the forgiveness of her sins, she has not worshiped in the right way. She needs to repent and acknowledge that this denomination is in error. In Matthew 10, Jesus speaks to the people about persecution that is to come. In verse 37 Jesus says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Loving anyone or anything in this world more than God will prevent us from being with Him in eternity.
We can learn much from these few verses. The important thing is to apply these truths to our own lives.
FOR DISCUSSION: WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE LESSON?
1. How important is it that Luke includes the verses from Isaiah concerning where Jesus would live and teach?
2. How has faith played a part in your putting God first?
3. How would you work with someone who refuses to give up their “religion” even though they know it is wrong?
4. How long does it take for us to acknowledge that we are sinners?
5. What comparisons do you see between physical fishing and fishing for men?