When you and I come to faith in Jesus Christ, we do so from a variety of different circumstances. Some are younger (I was 5). Some are older - I know a woman who was in her late 80s when she came to faith. Some have lived simple lives, others have lived rather rambunctiously. Some have come with some religious context and others with no concept of God at all. And yet when we do finally follow Jesus, we find that there are several truths common to all of us.
As we continue our study in the book of Luke, we turn the page to chapter 5 as we get to observe Jesus calling one of His disciples - Simon - who is also called Peter. The situation of Simons calling was very unique to him specifically but common to all of us principally.
If you have your Bibles, open them to Luke 5. We’ll be considering the first 11 verses.
We got briefly introduced to Simon last week as Jesus was ministering in Capernaum and healed is mother-in-law (if in fact this is the same person - I believe it is).
Luke 5:1–11 ESV
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 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. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Jesus does some amazing things in this process of calling Simon to be one of His disciples. In this context, I think there are a lot of similarities between what Simon experienced and what we experience. No, most of us are not fishermen or people of the sea, but I do think there are some things that we can acknowledge and understand, both as people who may be investigating faith and as those who have believed for many years. Wherever we are in this process, we have room to grow.
So, as Simon begins this relationship with Jesus, we can learn first of all that…
Following Jesus...
...is based on His teaching (1-3)
Let’s look again at these first few verses:
Luke 5:1–3 ESV
On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
It seems like Luke is not so concerned with laying out an exact chronological timeline, instead, he is laying out a narrative for his initial audience, Theophilus, and for us in order to provide some assurance of what we have come to know and believe (1:4).
So, on the heals of discussing Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, Luke pulls an instance where Jesus is likely close to Capernaum, by the Sea of Gennesaret, which is also known as the Sea of Galilee.
Here, there are so many people who are eager to hear from Jesus. In fact, did you notice how Luke phrases that? They wanted to hear “the word of God.” Now, Jesus likely did not have a bible or a scroll handy, so when he is teaching, he is doing so extemporaneously. It kind of makes me wonder, did they believe He was the Son of God or simply believe that He was teaching God’s word? No matter, they wanted what Jesus had and they wanted to get close to Him.
I can almost imagine the scene:
Jesus teaching.
More and more people begin to gather around, and so he backs up.
Eventually he backs up all the way to the sea.
And so, in order to get a little space (because for him to teach people far away, he would need to speak at a volume that would be uncomfortable for those closest to him) He steps into a boat (we assume, with permission) and asks Simon to push out a bit.
Some have suggested that the acoustics of the water would have also helped to project His voice.
Simon, while he had likely gone to shore to mend his nets, returned to the boat to take it out to see. Maybe he was a bit like some of us, being kinesthetic learners - needing to fidget while he was listening - so he’s there, on his boat, cleaning and mending his nets while Jesus is teaching. He likely could not help but listen.
Unfortunately, we don’t get to hear what Jesus taught, but Simon did.
For you and me, we have to understand that when we come to faith - just like Simon, it’s not based on a blind leap of faith or a wishful hope - but rather based on His teaching, based on His Word. I think get to see this in a couple of ways.
scripture - we are so blessed to have the written word of God, in our language, and even in a vernacular that is easy for us to understand. I typically use the ESV because it’s among the most accurate (along with the NASB, NKJV, LSB). But there are others that may be a little easier to read - NLT, NIV, CSB - beloved - don’t take this for granted. We have the Word of God as a tool for us to understand a bit more of Who God is and how He works. He has reveled himself to us in some very specific and clear ways. Let’s not take that for granted.
The Nepali people (and many others around the world) have a translation from English into their language. It’s still the Word of God, but may not be as accurate as it could if it had been translated from the original language.
Others, don’t yet have the Bible in their language. We need to be praying that God would raise up linguists who know Greek and Hebrew who could then translate the scriptures into these other languages.
God’s Word is truly the best and most accurate way for us to gain an understanding of the life that Jesus calls us into, but we also have…
testimony of others - Here at church and as we interact with other believers.
1 John 1:3 ESV
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
As followers of Christ, we get the joy of sharing what we have seen and heard with others. If you’re investigating life with Christ, you get the honor of talking with people who have lived it out - some for just a short time, others for decades.
In my own life, I came to faith by being exposed to the Word of God at church and the testimony of the teachers and my own father’s explanation.
I share all of that to remind us that when Jesus invites us to follow him, He does not ask us to take a blind leap of faith, but rather gives us His word to reveal things in order to help us understand more clearly how this faith is lived out.
So, Jesus invites us to follow him based on His teaching. But we also learn from this encounter that following or obeying Jesus can seem like it…
...is counter-intuitive and yet life-changing (4-7)
Let’s look at the text again:
Luke 5:4–7 ESV
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 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.
So, how is following Jesus counter-intuitive
Counter-Intuitive
Fishermen in the first century would typically fish at night. They would go to different parts of the lake in order to get to where the fish were - sometimes in the deep, sometimes in the shallows. But the point is, they typically would not fish during the day. So after a long night of laboriously casting their nets and pulling them in, over and over again, Simon and his companions were empty-handed and exhausted. The logical thing to do would be to clean the nets and go to bed.
But, Jesus makes this extra request. Maybe he’s wanting to reward Simon for use of his boat - and what a reward that was.
For Simon - this was a bit counter-intuitive because Jesus is not a fisherman. Simon had heard rumors about him and had just heard his teaching. He knew that Jesus had a great deal of knowledge about the Word of God and life, but assumed that he knew nothing about fishing.
In response to Jesus’ request - he calls Jesus “Master” - which was a common greek term for a ruler or a boss. I initially wondered if Simon is being sarcastic here, but Luke uses that same term throughout his gospel when people talk to Jesus. It’s almost like it’s his term for “Rabbi.” As senseless as this is, Simon replies with “at your word…”
For us, coming to faith may seem like a counter-intuitive action. The upside down nature of the Kingdom of God is filled with people who love deeply, serve each other willingly, honor one another, and so much more. It’s about giving up our lives to gain them and losing in or to find. Life with Jesus in the Kingdom of God is lived in in the opposite way that we are naturally inclined to live. That is why it’s counter intuitive.
We also get to realize that it is…
Life-Changing
For Simon and his companions, Jesus provided so many fish that it would have met their needs for a good while. We have no idea how much fish this was, but it was enough to nearly sink two boats. They could sell that fish and live off of the proceeds for weeks or months. What a life-changing miracle.
For us, in our lives with Christ, we experience life-changing miracles as well. Jesus may not provide a huge windfall of financial resources, but He does change our outlook and our focus. He changes our eternal destination.
(Story of man in India - murderer turned believer - rather than taking he is giving)
So, following Jesus is based on His teaching, counter-intuitive and life-changing. We also learn from this passage that following Jesus…
...confronts our identity (8)
Luke 5:8 ESV
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
Notice this subtle change in Simon’s name - Luke refers to him here as Simon Peter. We will learn in a few weeks that Jesus eventually calls him simply Peter (most of the time) (Luke 6:14). As Simon makes this humble step toward faith, his name, which means “listen” or “hearing” is changed to Peter, which means “rock” or “stone.” Is he a solid rock on which to stand because he heard? or Is he so hard headed that he can’t listen? Time will tell, maybe it’s both.
Whatever the case, Simon was confronted with his own fallenness and Jesus’ holiness. Just as Isaiah was in God’s call on his life (Isaiah 6:5).
This is an important place for all of us to get to. So often, our identity is tied to so many different things - gender, ethnicity, job, nationality, marital status, whether or not we have children, our own parentage, which sports team we like…. We could go on and on considering the countless ways that we all could identify ourselves. As humans, all of us get to have on us the identity marker of image bearer of God.
But, Simon Peter helps us to get to a very important point of identity - our sinful nature. Ultimately all people get to this point. If we do so in this life, then we have an opportunity to come to faith in Christ. If we fail to recognize our fallenness until after we are dead, then we are confined to an eternity separated from God.
But, once we recognize our fallenness in the face of God’s holiness and receive His forgiveness through Jesus Christ, then we get to be identified as being “in Christ.”
Galatians 3:28 ESV
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
So, in our following Jesus, he confronts our identity and gives us a new one, in Him.
There is one final thing that Simon helps us to see as we seek to understand the cost of following Jesus. Following Jesus…
…alters the trajectory of our lives - and that can be scary (9-11)
Let’s consider the final verses in this passage:
Luke 5:9–11 ESV
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Simon, James, John and others were astonished at what Jesus did. Simon recognizes his own sinfulness, but then Jesus tells him - don’t be afraid.
What did he have to be afraid of?
Judgment for his sin? if so, Jesus will take care of that.
Worth - Jesus will take care of that.
Knowledge - Jesus will provide that.
But here, I wonder if his fear is of the unknown - of what’s next. Jesus changed the trajectory of his life. No longer is Simon going to be taking live things and making them dead (through fishing), but he is going to be making dead things (humans) alive by bringing them to faith in Jesus Christ.
He changes from a life taking job to a life giving ministry.
In our walks with God, He changes everything for us. Our careers are no longer measured by income or achievement or how many people work for us or how much business we produce - but instead by how we are bringing people to faith in Christ. For those who are students - your time in school is not measured by GPA or popularity or wins and losses on your athletic team, but instead on the difference you’re making for the Kingdom of God. Our identity in Him adds a new dimension, a new depth, a new trajectory for our lives - and that can be frightening!
Simon knew how to use his hands. He knew how to find fish - most of the time. Eventually, he will be using his mind and his voice to proclaim good news to the lost, to encourage and exhort Christians who are living in practical exile.
Friend, if you’re just investigating this life in Christ, I realize there are elements of this that are scary. It means leaving behind all that we know about success and worth in this life. It means letting Jesus guide your life. It means giving up what we think we know about religion. For some, it may result in dishonor for family. It may mean changing careers. It means placing your life in Jesus capable hands. As a result, he promises to never leave us or forsake us. He promises eternal life. Following Jesus will cost everything, but you will gain so much more!
For all us, as we grow in our walk with God, as we learn more about this life in Christ, we can easily get comfortable or lackadaisical - settling into predictable rhythms. We can be tempted to mix in a little bit of American culture with biblical Christianity or falsely identify a political ideology with Jesus’ way. Jesus is a-political. Jesus is not pro-America. Jesus is not baptist or presbyterian or methodist or non-denominational. Jesus is Lord. As Lord, He may call us to leave the comforts of home and go to another context to catch humans. As Lord, he may call us to step into the unknown of sharing a meal with someone who is different than us. As Lord, he may call us to make amends with that person with whom we have been at odds. As Lord, he may call us to change careers or open up our homes.
Closing Thoughts
Following Jesus is not a blind leap of faith but is based on his teaching
Following Jesus is counter-intuitive (it doesn’t make sense when we look at it with human eyes) but it is life-changing.
Following Jesus confronts our identity - and ultimately gives us a new one.
Following Jesus does change the trajectory of our lives - here and in eternity - and while that can be scary, it is worth it.
Simon laid down his nets, his catch of fish, his boat. What do we need to be willing to lay down? Is there some comfort or pattern or sin for which we need to repent?
Simon and the others left everything to follow Jesus. Are we willing to do the same?
Let’s pray.
Lord’s Supper
One of the beautiful things about Jesus is that he doesn’t invite us to do something that he’s not willing to do himself. You see, Jesus left everything as well in order to identify with us. He took on our flesh and lived it perfectly so that he could lay it down so that you and I might have eternal life as a glorious exchange. We get to see that gloriously displayed in Communion.
pass the elements
fence the table
(after the plates are back at the front)
The Bread
Luke 22:14–19 ESV
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Cup
Luke 22:20 ESV
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Benediction:
Beloved, as Jesus told Simon:
Luke 5:10 ESV
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
Questions for reflection and discussion:
Read: Luke 5:1-11.
What is the setting or the environment in which Jesus and Simon meet?
What does Simon do for Jesus?
What does Jesus do for Simon?
Who else is involved?
How did Simon respond to the miracle?
Why do you think Jesus said “do not be afraid”? What was there to be afraid of?
How did Simon (and the others) respond?
How should we respond?
What might God call us to leave?
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Beeke, Joel R., and Paul M. Smalley. Reformed Systematic Theology: Man and Christ. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Ferguson, Sam “Compelling People: the allure of Christ likeness in an identity confused culture.” Cross Conference 2025.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 1–12 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Oepke, Albrecht. “?p?st?t??.” In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, edited by Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, 2:622–23. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–.
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933.
Stewart, R. A. “Passover.” Edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. New Bible Dictionary. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
