“Drop Everything”
© 2007, Sterling C. Franklin,
Though free for your use and encouragement so long as
you don’t say that you wrote the sermon.
Now that we’ve read through the text, let’s open with a word of Prayer…
- Prayer of thanksgiving for God's Word
- Prayer of fruitfulness through studying it
- Prayer for strength to drop everything in the way of us and Him.
Illustrations: Imagine with me…
A child is doing his homework inside, and it’s a bright and sunny day. The child’s father runs in and says, “Son, drop EVERYTHING! We’re going to the amusement park, and you’re going to play all afternoon!” The son gladly drops his pencil and paper and runs to follow his father!
What about a worker with a laborious project? The boss walks in and tells him, “Good worker, drop EVERYTHING! I’ll even pay for your time off, and I’ll cover this project. Come back next week and have a good break!”
In both instances, we would GLADLY drop everything.
1. In some ways, dropping everything seems foolish or uncomfortable – less desirable. In our lives, dropping what seems stable is hard.
2. As we will see in our text, as we encounter the Lord, we must drop everything in light of His calling on our lives. Truly, a proper response to an encounter with God is to drop everything and follow Him.
Challenge: Will we run enthusiastically toward God’s calling just as this eager son ran out with his father to the amusement park, or the worker away from the cubicle?
Read-through: Take another read-through of the text, and I want you to take note of three things:
1. Peter’s initial reaction to Jesus’ request.
2. The emotion felt by Peter, James and John immediately after the event.
3. The ultimate response of the disciples.
Text is Narrative – what surrounds it in Luke?
Context – This passage comes right in the middle of Jesus’ healing of a demoniac and Jesus’ healing of a man with leprosy. Regarding the previous chapters, Jesus self-reveals himself as Messiah. In Luke 4, he resists Satan’s temptation. He speaks with amazing authority. He casts out demons. He also heals the sick and raises the dead!
1. Geographic setting: Jesus is in Galilee, at Lake Gennesaret (see Fitzmyer 559, 5:1).
2. A huge crowd is following Jesus, and the lake is a great speaking place when someone is on a boat speaking toward those on the shore (as a pulpit). This boat was probably “twenty to thirty feet long,” as was the average ancient fishing boat (see Bock 154).
3. Many had seen the miracles of Jesus, though belief was individual.
a. Jesus sat in the boat teaching. He took the posture of a teacher, and many did not see that He was more than just a ‘good teacher.’
b. People had seen that Jesus was someone special, but not all had come to the realization that He was the Son of God!
Illustration: Blind Taste Test – Who do you think Jesus is?
Blindfolded: “Simply a good teacher”
Blindfold taken off: “The Son of God!”
Transition: That being said, I would like to walk through the text with you.
I. The Setting for the Calling
Read Luke 5:1-3
A. Gennesaret was a lush, fertile farming area in Galilee, and the sea was near. So by association, the place name Gennesaret is often used to refer to the Sea of Galilee.
B. The word ‘Gennesaret’ could be derived from a description of a harp, or the terms, ‘Prince of gardens’ or ‘garden of riches’ (see Barclay 56).
1. It was located below sea-level, which lent to a much more tropical climate.
2. It would be a good vacation spot in the area.
C. Notice from verse 1 that people were pressing or ‘squishing’ in to hear Jesus.
1. People flocked to Jesus.
2. Jesus had authority, unlike the scribes, and people really took note of that (cf. Matthew 7:29).
Authentic vs. Counterfeit – Who really had the authority?
D. Note also from verse 2 that the fishermen were washing their nets, for the purpose of preserving the nets.
1. In a similar passage, Mark 1:19 (at least a similar situation) states that some of the disciples were “repairing the nets.” These nets were strong and ready for a heavy day’s use!
Illustration: Fortifying a wall of defense. The fishermen were getting their nets ready for a future barrage of fish!
E. Jesus wasn’t just a mere passerby. He sits in Simon Peter’s boat and teaches from it.
Jesus was personal: was teaching an important lesson to Peter.
Transition: Little did Peter know at that time the surprise he would soon get!
II. The Encounter with God
Read Luke 5:4-7
A. Jesus gives Peter a command in verse 4, and Peter follows, though we see his reservation to expect anything.
1. Peter seemed reluctant given his past circumstances.
2. Given his response later, he may have been patronizing Jesus in letting the net down into the deep.
Seasoned fisherman vs. Rabbi – Who would know more about fishing?
Parallel: Doctor vs. Banker – Who would you want to do heart surgery?
Perhaps the banker if he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but in reality, you want an expert doctor to perform the surgery!
3. Challenge: How could and would you respond in this situation?
a. Naturalistic/Inductive – Nothing will happen.
b. Reluctant/Skeptical (Peter) - Well, ok, but I don’t think anything will happen!
c. (Seemingly unwise) Believing - Despite the fact that you’re a Rabbi, you do miracles. I believe something major will happen!
B. What did Jesus also do with fish in His ministry?
1. The feeding of the Five Thousand in Luke 9!
Side Reference: Luke 9:14-17 (Read 16-17)
9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
9:15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
a. Hindsight is always 20/20 – we can read about it now, but since this Luke 9 event likely occurred well after Luke 5, Peter still had some apparent blind spots.
b. Jesus had Creative Power. Hebrews 1, John 1.
c. Jesus had the power to perform Miracles.
2. In another relation to fish, Jesus also had tax provision from a fish in Matthew 17.
3. Jesus also ate fish to prove that He was fully in the flesh after His Resurrection (cf. Matthew 17 and Luke 24).
But we see in Luke 5 that Peter was very blind to what Jesus could do with seafood!
C. Jesus told Peter to go to deep water and then said, “Let down your nets for a catch” (5:4-5).
1. This was a purposive command – Jesus knew what He was doing.
2. “Go into the deep” – Some take this to symbolize the depth of relationship which we should experience with Jesus. At the very least here, we have direct symbolism to evangelism.
3. Mentality: ‘Ok, since you say so…’
a. It was early in the morning, the fish weren’t coming in the main hours, so it would have been ridiculous to expect anything. In this case, Peter would have been looking for flying pigs before expecting what was about to take place!
b. One commentator, Norval Geldenhuys, presents the view of Peter’s response as an “objection” to Jesus’ suggestion (181).
Application: In reading through various commentaries, this comment by William Barclay spoke to me very powerfully, “If we want a miracle, we must take Jesus at his word when he bids us attempt the impossible” (Barclay 57). Peter was in the place to do so.
D. As we see from verses 6-7, the men needed more than two boats to carry all the fish.
1. The just-repaired and/or cleaned nets began to break. There were so many fish that the nets at their strongest couldn’t contain them!
2. Since they only had two boats, the boats were overwhelmed. Note again that the boats were likely 20-30 feet in length – capable of carrying massive amounts of fish.
Transition: Before considering what Jesus just did, let’s look at the Disciples’ response to the miracle.
III. The Reaction to the Encounter with God
Read Luke 5:8-10a
A. Peter reacts in a similar way to Isaiah in Isaiah 6. Peter didn’t want to God (Jesus) to be in his presence because he felt so sinful.
1. Note that Peter’s reaction is falling down at Jesus’ knees – he became aware of his own inadequacy and unbelief fear & anguish
2. Peter saw his own inadequacy and sin – two massive elements that lead to pure service to God. The humility that came with this event was key.
a. Illustration: Pottery imagery in Scripture – God is molding us, sculpting us, and sometimes just totally breaking us down, squishing us, and trying us, in order that we would become the full beautiful pot that He has intended.
b. Emphasis: Humility cannot be stressed enough as a positive trait. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (cf. 1 Peter 5:6). Service to God involves depending on His strength due to our utter frailty. Through our weakness, He is made strong (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Peter realizes his weakness at this moment as he encounters God.
3. According to commentator Darrell Bock, Peter’s had the mentality that Jesus “surely would want to have nothing to do with an everyday sinner” (154).
Affirmation: Is that your mentality? Have you felt so sinful that you believed that Jesus wouldn’t want anything to do with you? Are you feeling that right now? If so, know that, as we will see even from the following section, and thankfully, Jesus wants to deal with us, even in our sinful state.
Romans 5:8, Romans 5, making peace with God.
C. So going back a few verses, now that we know the Disciples’ reactions, what did Jesus do?
1. One possibility is noted by the author William Barclay: “In the Sea of Galilee there were phenomenal shoals which covered the sea as if it was solid for as much as an acre” – Jesus could just have been observant (57).
2. Another possibility is that Jesus created schools and schools of fish at the moment. This would line up more with the miracle found in Luke 9, as we have covered, where Jesus multiplies the fish and loaves to feed five thousand. I also find myself much in this camp.
Transition: Peter’s reaction is fearful – He recognizes that Jesus is God.
Section 4 – Luke 5:10b-11 – Function: A soothing and powerful calling from Jesus, and the obedient following of His Disciples.
IV. Jesus Calls Simon (and implicitly, James and John)
Read Luke 5:10b-11
A. Jesus’ first words to Simon Peter were, “Do not be afraid” (5:10b).
1. What a comfort that must have been to the terrified Disciple who had just encountered the Lord of Lords!
2. Jesus knew his state and understood his feelings (cf. Hebrews 4).
3. Peter’s fear highlights the skepticism and reluctance of his original response in verse 5.
a. Commentator Howard Marshall states about this incident, “When their obedience resulted in a miraculous catch of fish, Simon was overwhelmed with a sense of the holiness of Jesus as the Lord” (Marshall 199).
b. Despite his past comments, reactions and presuppositions, Peter now sees that he is in the same boat with God.
B. The Call: Jesus called Simon Peter to catch men as opposed to fish (other translations: ‘fishers of men’).
1. Simon Peter, again, knew how hard it was to catch fish in the early hours of the day at the lake.
2. This ‘fishy encounter’ likely spoke deeply and personally to Peter. The calling of Jesus was very much tailored to Simon Peter’s interests.
4. This call was also symbolic of missionary success. Jesus wanted Peter to go forth! The clear analogy from this passage is that Jesus is saying that the Disciples are to cast their nets into the deep of the world and harvest many souls via evangelization (cf. Geldenhuys 183).
C. Ultimate Response: Simon and the rest of the Disciples drop everything and obey (5:11).
1. The response as a result of the Disciples’ encounter with God was immediate obedience.
a. This response is reminiscent of true conversion or even more directly, personal calling.
b. Jesus gives Peter a new call, and Peter (with James and John) follows.
2. According to commentator Howard Marshall, “Luke’s story shows that the call took place only after the fishermen had made the acquaintance of Jesus and experienced a revelation of his heavenly power” (199).
D. So they dropped everything. So what? What was the life of a fisherman like, anyway?
1. Fishermen: Wealthy & manipulative.
2. Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD) had to regulate fish sales due to the overwhelming cost (Murphy-O’Connor 24). Price hiking // gas prices.
3. Very few of the poor could afford fresh fish, so fishermen who caught fresh fish for the most part made a good living (Murphy-O’Connor 24).
4. These fishermen also had high job-hour flexibility. “They were free to start and stop work when it suited them” (Murphy-O’Connor 27).
5. If work was fruitless, they could take a long break until the next surge, but there would always be more work whenever they came.
Conclusion:
A. What did the Disciples take up?
Promise Aspect:
a. Expressed in Mark 10:28-31.
10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
b. Expressed in John 14:1-4.
14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
14:4 And you know the way to where I am going."
Hardship Aspect:
a. Expressed in Philippians 1:29. (Paul said…)
1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.
b. Expressed in Hebrews 11:35b-38. (Regarding the faithful…)
11:35b Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
11:36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated--
11:38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Taking up their crosses daily and following Him.
Were they actually Fishers of men? Acts 2 – Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:41) – three thousand souls were converted. What kind of nets would that break?!
B. Application and Challenge: Will you follow the Lord’s call?
1. Application: How has God called you? Is He calling you to come to Him? Is He calling you to a specific role or job? If God is tugging at your heart with a new call, then the ultimate response of obedience is to drop everything and follow Him.
2. Challenge: Will you do so today?
Take some time to reflect on these things, whether in prayer, silence, or a commitment to the Lord to follow Him in every way! God bless you!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aung, Hla. “Let’s Go into the Deep.” Asia Journal of Theology. In Soo Kim, ed. (Bangalore, India: North East Association of Theological Schools, 2002), Vol. 16, No. 2, 349-56.
Barclay, William. The Gospel of Luke: Revised Edition. (Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press, 1975).
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. The NIV Application Commentary. Terry Muck, gen. ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: ZondervanPublishingHouse, 1996), Vol. 27.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Gospel According to Luke (I-IX). The Anchor Bible. William Foxwell Albright & David Noel Freedman, gen. eds. (New York: Doubleday, 1970).
Geldenhuys, Norval. Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. F. F. Bruce, gen. ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1968).
Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. I. Howard Marshall & W. Ward Gasque, eds. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1978).
Murphy-O’Connor, Jerome. “Fishers of Fish, Fishers of Men.” Bible Review. Hershel Shanks, ed. (Washington, D.C.: Biblical Archaeology Society, 1999), Vol. XV, No. 3.
