GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
LUKE 5:1-3
In this chapter, Luke tells us about the way Jesus began to collect his followers known as the disciples. Grouped here along with more healing miracles and a miraculous catch of fish, the appearance of the disciples leads to a question at the chapter’s end about the disciples of Jesus compared with those of John the Baptist and those of the Pharisees.
As the chapter progresses, notice how Jesus understands the success of the gospel. He does not thrive on the love of the crowds. He gains followers (5:11; 5:15; 5:17), but he seeks out a sinner like Levi to be one of his special disciples (5:28). He still needs time alone to pray (5:16). And he does not bend from his resolve to be absolutely correct in his teaching, even when the great religious minds of the age disagree with him (5:33-34). It is the gospel itself that is success; the gospel, the message of God’s grace, is what makes all the difference in the world.
The Calling of the First Disciples
(Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:14-20; John 1:35-51)
5 Once, people were crowding in around Jesus and listening to the word of God while he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats moored alongshore. The fishermen had left them there and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. He sat down and began teaching the crowds from the boat.
Only Luke calls the Sea of Galilee a ‘lake,’ knowing that the Greek (or Trojan) Theophilus had a very different idea of what constitutes a ‘sea’ than the people of Israel. The word Gennesaret is derived from the town of that name, a port where many boats used as taxis were harbored (Matthew 14:34; Mark 6:53).
Pressed in by crowds, Jesus decided to find a pulpit. Since sound travels better across water than across land, he asked Simon to take him out a little way into the harbor. This was the same Simon whose mother-in-law Jesus had just healed. Simon was washing his nets (sort of dragnets) cleaning them of seaweed, slime, and scales. They had to be washed and stretched out again after each use, as well as repaired of any holes or tears, or else they would become deformed and useless (this could be a miniature lesson on repentance and regular Bible study!).
Simon was eager to hear what Jesus had to say, and we can imagine that he was honored to be asked to pilot the boat away from shore. He probably poled the craft out just a little from the quay, and then either used the pole to moor the boat in place or else dropped his anchor.
Jesus sat, just as he did in the synagogue, and began to teach. Once again, the good news about the kingdom of God was the subject, as Jesus unfolded the gospel of the forgiveness of sins for the people.
Ancient Capernaum has been partially excavated by archaeologists. A small octagonal church just 30 yards or so from the water’s edge may possibly be built over the site of Peter’s house. A block to the north is a fourth-century synagogue, built atop the foundation of a more ancient synagogue, almost certainly the one where Jesus had preached in chapter 4. Now, in the water of the lake, the Lord found another pulpit and a larger audience. His goal was not to count bodies, as if an impressive crowd was a spectacular thing to be proud of. No, his goal was always to count souls; to win over hearts for eternal life. That same care was involved in reaching out to you, personally, with the gospel. Knowing that you have a Savior, remember that you have a place with God forever in heaven. If that’s what you remember from any sermon—Jesus’, mine, or any other minister—then the word of God has done its work in your heart. And Jesus is pleased.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Archives by Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel: http://www.wlchapel.org/worship/daily-devotion/
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota