Epiphany 5

Preparation

    Please begin by reading Luke 5:1-11 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--When Jesus Calls
   
   It is worth spending some time with this gospel story that recounts how Jesus called his first disciples. The specific details will vary, but the principles that apply when Jesus calls still work just as they did with these three fishermen.

    First, we need not be afraid that Jesus will overwhelm us when he calls. At first, Simon Peter was not called to preach to crowds of people. He was not ready for that yet. Instead, Jesus asked him to do something simple; for the use of his boat to serve as a platform for teaching. When Jesus calls, he knows exactly where we are in life and will not ask us to do anything we are not able to handle. Don’t be afraid when Jesus calls.

    A corollary is that we should not be disappointed because we are called to relatively simple tasks at first. They may be simple, but they are important. Many were blessed by the teachings Jesus gave from that borrowed boat. Many will be blessed by whatever simple thing Jesus wants you to do.

    Slowly, Jesus then leads us into ever deeper spiritual water until we find ourselves in the unmistakable presence of the living God. For stubborn, no-nonsense Simon Peter it took a miracle for this transforming moment to happen—a boat load of fish where there had been none before. It came because Simon Peter was obedient about another simple task; letting down his net again even though his head and recent experience told him there was nothing there. Your confirmation of the reality of Jesus’ call will be different, because it will be tailored to you individually, but it is also likely come through obedience in some simple matter.

    When it does come, it is an awesome moment. Our first reaction is often realization of our inadequacies in God’s presence; a reaction like Simon Peter’s “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”  In last week's lesson, Jeremiah’s reaction was similar “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” When God called the prophet Isaiah, his reaction was “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips!” Such a realization of a need for change is important, but it is just a passing way station. Jesus calls us not to guilt, but to transformation. He still says “don’t be afraid. Follow me. I have work for you to do.”

    The only rational response in this transforming moment is still the same too; following Jesus whenever Jesus may lead. It is on that sometimes rocky path that we discover real, vibrant life.

    Listen with your spiritual ears. Jesus still calls. It is a transforming call you don’t want to miss.

revclay

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Luke 5:1-11  (NRSV)
   
    Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

    When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

    Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets."

    When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

    But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

    Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people."

    When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.