Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

The crowd was so great that the Lord Jesus resorted to a boat and preached from the water. The boat belonged to Simon, a fisherman, who confessed that he fished all night and caught nothing. At the word of the Lord Jesus, however, he put down his net and caught more fish than he could haul in. He requested help from his fellow fishermen to haul in the great catch. As a result, Simon knew that God was present in the Lord Jesus and he requested that Jesus would go away. Peter said, "I am a sinful man."

In scripture men who saw God were afraid they would die. Moses, and Samson's father, all thought they would die if they saw God. This was a common idea in the bible and expressed by God also. If a man saw God he could not live in this human body. From this context we understand why Simon reacted this way. However, the Lord Jesus reassured him that he would not die. Indeed, not only would he live but would be used by God to bring eternal life to others through the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Simon understood who the Lord Jesus was when the Lord Jesus demonstrated his goodness and provision. Many times men come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of the goodness of God. Romans 2:4, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" This was my experience. When I was a young man God showed kindness and mercy towards me and the revelation of God's love in Jesus Christ brought me to my knees in salvation and worship.

Simon could not bring all the fish to the shore by himself. He needed the help of his brothers. Notice how in Paul's letters he included the names of his fellow workers in the gospel. Each one of us has a part in the ministry but cannot succeed alone. Each one needs his brothers and sisters in Christ to work with him and alongside him. We each belong to one another and each serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The problem arises when brothers are suspicious and think their brother is not serving Jesus. We live in a time when the gospel is so commercialized and sold as a product that people no longer recognize when a true man of God needs support. People no longer see the importance of helping one another to bring fish ashore. We live in a cynical generation where people no longer trust one another. Therefore the work suffers. We are only able to bring a few fish to shore if that.

The Lord Jesus told Peter he would no longer be a fisherman but instead fishing for men. Peter would become the great evangelist who on the day of Pentecost proclaimed the gospel and thousands came to faith in Jesus Christ.

Christ died for our sins. He was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ will be saved.