Career Change Series

Luke 5: 1 – 11

Career Change

1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

You might be thinking to yourself, ‘I already know about this story in the bible, so perhaps we can skip to some other portions of Scripture which have more meat for me to digest.’

Well, if you even considered this position, let me tell you ‘straight up’ that you will probably miss some of the greatest biblical insight that you ever derived.

Do I have your attention now?

I am sure that you will take with you some great and enjoyable findings from this wonderful Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as penned by the faithful disciple Luke.

Let me start you out with a great point. The Gospel of Matthew was written before the Gospel of Luke. In chapter 4 the former IRS agent spoke about an incident which at first may seem similar to Luke’s description. In fact let me say that they are separate incidents. Let’s look at what Matthew wrote, “12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 15 “ The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

Can you see any difference here? What is happening in Matthew version. Well, you have Peter and his brother Andrew still fishing by casting their nets near land. And nearby were John and his brother James mending their nets. In Luke’s version all 4 were washing their nets.

Now, some may say, so what’s the big deal anyway. Matthew wasn’t an eyewitness for he had not yet been selected as a apostle. And of course Luke had come back interviewing the people who had heard the story first hand and got their rendition. True, but here is why I think that this is important as being separate occasions.

I believe that Matthew described everything accurately and so did Luke. These were separate incidents. In Matthew’s account our Lord Jesus had just moved His ministry headquarters to Capernaum. He spoke to all 4 and they left their stuff and followed him. However, they did not fully all out pack up and stay with our Lord at all times. They went back to their professions which was fishing.