TEXT: LUKE 5: 1-11
READING: ISAIAH 6: 1-13
SUBJ: The reluctant obedience of Peter to our Lord's command and the revelation of majesty to Peter and the others that came because of the abundant catch of fish.
AIM: That we might be made the more aware of the Majesty of Christ in all things and that we might be quick to respond in loving obedience to Him.
INTR: We are sometimes left at a loss in trying to reconcile some events in the Gospels. This one is given only in Luke but is not contrary to what is revealed in the others.
1. What is important for us to realize is that Jesus as a man appeared to ordinary men and proceeded to reveal Himself to them that turned them into exceptional men in His service.
2. It is also important for us to note that while doing good, Jesus was always about the business of teaching these men with a view to what lay ahead of them - we do well to give heed to the lessons He taught them.
3. This passage reveals great truths and provides a source of great illustrations as to the task that is ever before us as the people of God.
THESIS: It is only when we are bought to a proper consideration of the Lord's majesty that we will fully realize our own unworthiness and be thus fully equipped for His service. Our Lord displayed His wisdom, His power, and His aim for His people in this passage.
I. The wisdom of His approach to men (vv. 1-3)
1. The circumstances were such that would have been perplexing to many. A great crowd pressing to hear the message - Today men would have looked for a larger venue and made great preparations.
2. We consider the flexibility of Christ in His approach in that it might be a hillside, a house, or a field - George Whitefield resorted to such preaching. Here it was the seaside and
3. He accommodated the circumstances by entering Simon's boat and directed him as to what to do.
1) It is important that we note that He often acted in the same way He would have men to act - He would do what was needed to get the message out.
2) Oh, that we might be pressured by people to hear the Word of God.
II. The Knowledge of Christ (vv. 4-5)
1. Simon's boat had a new captain at this point, and He directed Him accordingly (There was more for him to learn).
1) He knew all about fishing but underestimated the knowledge of Christ.
2) The carpenter would not direct the fisherman.
3) Reluctantly or in unbelief he directed the orders to be carried out.
4) And we are reminded He did not say try again - it was rather the fish are waiting.
2. It is at this point that we are made to wonder at the two natures of Christ.
1) Often, He expressed the fact that He did not know something.
2) As God the Son, He knew all things - He is omniscient.
3) We are made to wonder in that it was not the best time for fishing if that those fish were directed to the nets at the order of the creator. The first Adam was given power over all creatures.
III. The abundant provision of Christ (vv. 6-7)
1. The catch was beyond their wildest imagination and they were unprepared for it.
2. It seemed that the nets and the ships were in peril, but not with the Master aboard.
3. We quickly learn that when the Lord blesses it is above measure, grace is abundant and does much more abound.
4. Though Peter was reluctant to believe he did in fact obey and so we must.
IV. The majesty of Christ revealed to them (vv. 8-10)
1. There is no doubt that these men were overwhelmed at what they saw; anyone would be.
2. The effect on Peter was much more:
1) He was immediately aware of the power of the One in whose presence he stood.
2) The effect was intensified as he was made aware of his own undone-ness.
3) It was not that he wanted Jesus to leave - he was committed to serve Him.
4) It was that he could not believe that such a One would want to dwell with him.
3. The effect was noted on the others as well and so the four were confirmed.
4. Consider the effect on others:
1) "And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:" (Genesis 18:27)
2) The parents of Samson: "For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground." (Judges 13:20)
3) And from Job, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6)
4) From Isaiah: "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5).
V. The mission of Christ (vv. 10-11)
1. Fear not - One of the most comforting phrases to be found from the words of our Lord.
1) That which was a cause of fear at the revelation of majesty was to be the encouragement to continue in the service commanded.
2) He had been catching fish to kill them; he would catch men alive.
3) Just as He had assured them of the draught of fish, He was assuring them that men would be caught.
4) And so, we drop the Gospel net wherever we may.
2. Two things of note:
1) At another time they had a failed night of fishing and He directed them again. We know the result - a numbered catch.
2) On the day of Pentecost, the net yielded 3000 souls.
3. From F. B. Meyer:
The Lord always supersedes us. He superseded Peter in his command of the boat, which he had navigated since he was a lad. There is always a testing-point for the soul. Will you surrender the command and let Christ be captain? If so, in the teeth of great difficulties-for fish are not caught generally in the glare of day - He will fill your boat to the water’s edge. He does beyond all we asked or thought.
Christ will be in no man’s debt. If you lend Him your boat, He will return it filled with silver fish. The boats were filled; the upper room was filled with the Holy Spirit; and all Martha’s hospitality was well repaid when Lazarus was raised.
At the day of Pentecost when Peter’s net landed 3,000 souls, was not our Lord’s promise fulfilled? "Thrust out a little," is the beginning of long voyages and fishing expeditions with Christ!
