By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
v4And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” – (Read full text: Luke 5:1-11)
Along with my younger brother, my father used to take us to a stream alongside our farm when we were still in primary school. He taught us to fish using bamboo fishing rods with tiny earthworms as baits. I learned that the best time to go fishing is after a storm or a strong rain. The inundation caused by the rains would wash out fish foods down the stream starving the fish to bite the baits. I also learned that there are more fish in the shallow waters hiding in the rocks. There is less fish in the deep parts but bigger and harder to lure. It needs extra patience to catch a fish in such part of the stream or lake.
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Have you tried fishing? What kind of fishing? Have you caught any when you tried fishing?
There are several kinds of fishing. But the kind of fishing we see in the gospel story is the one using a net. If we use the hook, line and sinker, we need a bait in order to catch a fish and you can fish even in shallow waters. In this kind of fishing, the fish goes to the fisher’s bait. But in using a net, the fisher goes where he thinks the fishes are – which usually are in a deeper part of the lake.
There are so many lessons we can learn from this story – but let us first look into the background.
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Without basic learning through teaching and preaching, spiritual foundations are hard to lay and concepts of enduring meaning are neglected. Jesus had earlier made friends with Peter when his brother Andrew brought him to meet Jesus at his residence, according to a story found in John 1:35-42.
On that occasion he saw great potential in Peter, and called him “the Rock.” It seems natural that he would use Peter’s boat to separate himself enough from the press of the people to do some meaningful teaching for all to hear. His discourse did not stop the fishermen from washing and stretching their nets, or from hearing what he was saying.
Evidently Jesus’ message lasted until Peter brought his nets back to the boat. Jesus remained in the boat, and suggested that a try be made for a catch. Peter was surprised by the proposal, because an all-night effort had been unsuccessful, but if Jesus said so, they would try.
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4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let downB the nets for a catch.” 5Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Together Peter and Jesus put out the nets in deeper water away from the shore, and on the first try the nets were filled to over-flowing, requiring that Peter call for help from his fishing partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They brought their boat, and both craft were filled with so many fish that they were threatened with sinking, but they managed to get safely back to shore.
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This life is full of challenges that makes it exciting and meaningful. There are always two possibilities in meeting these challenges: failure and success. In failure there are two possibilities: surrender or persevere. In persistence we can at the end prevail until another challenge would come our way again. The challenge among Christian believers in sharing the good news (evangelism) is not to be afraid and launch into the deep, do not quit even the environment is daunting and even dangerous. Let us move out from the shallow waters of our comfort zones and venture to the deep waters of human needs and vulnerability. Let us spread the nets of faith in our Lord. In so doing selflessly we can have our share in pulling out others from the quagmire of human ruin and despair.
Peter, in remorse for his doubt and behavior, knelt before Jesus, and confessed his feelings of unworthiness. Jesus in a short time had become a friend, a partner, and spiritual leader for these fishermen. To their further amazement and surprise he invited them to become his partners in a new enterprise — fishing for people — and they left everything and followed him.
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I read this amazing story of John Sculley famous former CEO of Apple, Inc. It was Steve Jobs cofounder of Apple that lured Sculley to join his company. John Sculley who was then president of Pepsico Corporation was the first recruit of Jobs. Jobs set up a meeting with Sculley to persuade him to leave Pepsi for Apple, to direct the new company and to lend his corporate experience.
Sculley, though he had no reason to doubt the impact of Apple, was unwilling to give up a good, cushy and dream job at Pepsi, which was already a brand name, a powerhouse corporation and a darling stock. The idea of building Apple from its foundation and steering Apple into the future did not interest him. He was not particularly enamored with his job at Pepsico, but moving West did not appeal to him either.
Pepsi’s CEO turned Jobs down, but Jobs would not take no for an answer and posed to him a question to him that changed his mind, the direction of Apple, and the course of computer history. Sculley remembers that day with Jobs: “He looked up at me and just stared at me with the stare that only Steve Jobs has and he said, ‘Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life or do you want to come with me and change the world?” And I just gulped because I knew I would wonder for the rest of my life what I would have missed.”
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Many years ago the great explorer, Sir Francis Drake, was attempting to recruit a number of young men for an upcoming exploration. He gathered them around and told the group that if they came with him they would see some of the most marvelous things their eyes could ever behold. Sandy white beaches, juicy fruits, foreign peoples, priceless treasures, and gorgeous landscapes. And he told them that this wild adventure could be theirs if they came with him. Not one of them enlisted for the journey. The next day a different group came out. Drake told them that if they came with him they would encounter storms that would terrify them into tears. Tiger winds would hammer them and blow them off course for months. Water would frequently be scarce. At times they will be so thirsty that their very souls would cry out for simply one drop of water. In short, danger would always be their constant companion. Drake concluded by declaring that if they could handle these things, the joys of exploration would exceed their wildest dreams. Every single one of them in the group joined Sir Francis Drake that day, some did not even go home to say goodbye to their families, they just boarded the boat eager for the journey. (eSermons.com)
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What made the difference in these two groups? Why did the first group turn down the mission and the second jump at the chance? Was the second group different and more adventurous than the first? The answer is: No. It is not the men who had changed; it was the message. The first spoke of rewards; the second spoke of challenges. The first offered comfort; the second promised suffering. The first tempted them with things; the second seduced them with an experience unlike any other.
I like to think that Sir Francis Drake discovered what Jesus knew all to well. And that is this: The paths that are offered to us must promise to shape us, build our character, change our world view, if they are to have any appeal to us at all. If we are presented with a challenge that will change, we will be eager for the journey.
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What happened to the great catch of fish? Was Zebedee left with responsibility for preparing and taking them for sale? Was the crowd invited to take what they needed for themselves for fresh food at home? We aren’t told. But we do know that Peter, James, and John were from that moment on close partners with Jesus in his Messianic mission. It was they who took the initiative in the formation of the early church after the events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. They dared to launch to the deep waters of human triviality and obstinate existence.
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Christ as partner always bears his share and more in all responsibilities of Christian endeavor. The greatest partnership anyone ever forms is that of the Christian covenant. It is backed by the institution known as the church, through which spiritual profits are channeled. It is the greatest business in the world, because mankind is constantly wanting religious service and better ways in which to serve. Futility and triviality are not a part of the Christian mission.
There is genuine concern about the most pressing issues of society and humanity’s needs. Progress is continual, and growth is a priority. Election is on May and we see politicians’ turncoat – they jump out of their old political parties and jump into the other or accommodate others from other parties whom they previously despise in public.
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If you want a partner or a party who can make your life a real success, choose Christ. With him there are no regretful relationships, no bankruptcy of spirit, no moral corruption, and the net gains are wonderful, for they always add up to eternal life, if we are found faithful in performing our part in the partnership, which is a reasonable and sacred commitment of life and service. We are never too old or too young or disabled to become a partner with Christ. Let us join the Jesus Movement Party and dare to bring peace and transformation on individuals and the whole society where we live, move and have our being.
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A Prayer.
Thank you, God for this wonderful story of men who became partners with Christ. It does our hearts and souls good when we realize the wonders and joys of our partnership with him as our Lord and leader in life. Sometimes we are prone to forget and fail in doing our part, for which we are ashamed, and like Peter, ask your forgiveness for our personal failures. Teach us how to be good fishers of men and women, and to rejoice in catching them, even as we have been caught for the kingdom of God. Amen.**
