|
|
Put_Out_Into_Deep_Water[1].doc|
Luke 5:1-11 Key Verse: 5:4 Put out into Deep Water "When he had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'" Actually, Jesus had many followers. Peter was the one of them. Peter knew Jesus, even Jesus had healed his mother in law in fever. However, Peter was still just follower of Jesus, not committed disciples. Likewise, thesedays many people called Christian follows Jesus. Some people had already heard and seen Jesus’ love and power through miraculous things done to other believers. However, there seems to be little to become a disciples committed their lives to Jesus. How would these part-time followers of Jesus become committed disciples who would lay down their lives for the Gospel? How did Jesus deepen the relationship with Peter, who became his top disciple and rock of the church? It begins here on the shores of Lake Gennesaret. May God help us to hear Jesus’ calling in our boat. Part 1. When Jesus interrupts our daily schedule (1-3) . Let's read verse 1. "One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God..." The lake was better known as the "Sea of Galilee." Gennesaret is near to Capernaum. Jesus was not in the town, but by the lake. Jesus' teaching ministry expanded beyond the limits of the synagogues. What about this crowd? The crowd was coming in closer to Jesus, eager to hear the word of God. Seemingly, the word of God didn't satisfy their hunger problem. It didn't remove the harsh rule of the Romans over them, or lighten the burden of their daily labor. It didn't solve their marriage issues, or unemployment. However, people came to hear Jesus’ teaching like a deer thirsts for streams of water. Why? When I was sophomore in University, I could not find any meaning and value in my life. I could not endure the lightness of my life. After 1 year of campus life, what is left was the shameful school grade below 2.0, indulgence in lustful materials like pornography and fantasy in movie and comic book. I could not attend the school daytime, rather slept in my lodging room and then crawled up out of bed at night to see pornography and enjoy fantasy watching movie and animation. Despaired in campus life, I decided to go military service. At that time, I received one word from my shepherd. Genesis 12:1-2. “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” This word of God was attached to my heart so tightly that I decided to postpone the military service until graduation. At that time, the one word of God, ‘you will be a blessing’ solved all of my life problems which include low self-esteem, inner fear, no hope, no direction and no vision. Most importantly, the word of God led me to know what sin is before God and who Jesus is, which led me to salvation from sin and death. So, people need one word of God. That is why Jesus always taught the people the word of God. Let's read verse 2. "He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets." Jesus, while he was teaching, noticed these two boats, and the fishermen. They were not able to listen to his teaching, as they were busy washing their nets. This was their regular work procedure that had to be finished before they could go home. Look at verse 3. "He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat." Jesus knew Simon. He had healed his mother-in-law, and had stayed at his mater-in-law’s house which became an overnight clinic for the people of Capernaum. Jesus asked Simon to put out a little from shore. Why have Jesus done this? There are two reasons. In the first place, Jesus needed Simon's boat in order to teach the people. While on the boat, away from the shore, he would be able to teach without being squeezed by the crowds. In the second place, Jesus was interested in Simon. Simon was busy with his work, too busy to listen to Jesus' teaching. But Jesus wanted him to listen. So Jesus interrupted his busy life by stepping into his boat. Up to this point, Simon had relationships with Jesus on his own way. He chose to follow Jesus, and he chose to invite Jesus to his home, and asked him to heal his mother-in-law. Now, Jesus was stepping into Simon's life on Jesus' way. What would Simon do? "Not now, Jesus. I'm a little busy with these nets here. I will make time for you after work, maybe." Jesus should understand because this is Simon's job! But instead, Simon obeyed Jesus, interrupting his busy daily works. He was flexible about his work schedule in order to obey Jesus. Through Simon's decision, Jesus was able to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus steps into our boats too. It isn't always the most convenient time. Will we put out a little from shore, and allow him to preach the good news of the kingdom of God? If washing the nets is our priority over Jesus, our answer would be “No”. This reflects our attitude toward Jesus. Some put work or school or preparing exams as the top priority. Bible study and listening to Jesus must wait until our designated time. Practically speaking, school or work or exam becomes our master. Jesus understands that. Suddenly however, he gets involved through Bible study, a conference or unexpected things in our daily life. There Jesus stepped into our boat with many God’s works to do and time-consuming sheep caring and Bible study. And Jesus is saying, "Would you put out a little from shore?, which means ‘would you change your plan to do what I want you to do?’ This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Jesus. Are we going to be the environment maker he can use or not? Part 2, when we put out into deep water (4-11). Let's read verse 4. "When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'" Jesus had finished preaching the good news of the kingdom of God to the crowds, and also to Peter in the boat. Instead of saying, "Thank you Peter, let’s wrap it up, go home to rest" Jesus says, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Jesus, while busy teaching the people, noticed the situation of the fishermen around him. He saw that their nets were empty. Jesus had compassion on them for their situation. He wanted to serve them. Jesus is not indifferent to our situation. Jesus said to Simon, "Put out into deep water." This command is directed at Simon alone. Already, Simon had obeyed and put out a little from shore. Jesus is challenging him to go deeper. Jesus is not content with superficial and part-time followers. Likewise Jesus wants us to go deeper in our relationship with him. On 29th May, the historic 50th anniversary of foundation of UBF was held at Jang-chung gymnasium. Many missionaries all around the world made a visit to Seoul, many of whom also visited to Anam center. While seeing them and listening to their spiritual testimony, I could find their life committed to Jesus and devoted to the word of God, the Gospel. On the other side, I looked at my life. I could not see my life committed to someone or something, which means that I am following Jesus from far distance. Although I know Jesus, my attention was still focused on my life problems struggling to live in this competitive world. Nonetheless for my struggling to live, I find that I have no fish in my nets. So I have grumbled without thankful mind and rather worried about my future. With no strength to follow Jesus, I had to wash my nets for a living. Now Jesus is challenging me saying, "Put out into deep water." Under no matter what circumstances, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. Live for the glory of God! Make a plan of a great thing for the glory of God! Make a challenge for the glory of God! How would Simon respond to Jesus command? Let's read verse 5. "Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.'" Simon calls Jesus "Master" or "Sir!" Simon trusted Jesus' authority over his life. He mentions how hard he and his companions had worked with no fish. They were discouraged and helpless. Simon didn't expect another try would yield better results, because it was already day time when they have already completed fishing. Simon was discouraged, tired, and ready to go home. Furthermore, Simon had no reason to follow the carpenter’s recommendation. This is the situation in which Jesus' command came. But Peter said he will let down the net. Why? Simon says, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets." Simon honors Jesus' word as the word of God to be obeyed. Simon didn't say, "we," but, "I will let down the nets." This was a personal decision in which Simon exercised his will in obedience to Jesus' word. This act of obedience was an act of faith and trust in Jesus. What happened when they obeyed? Verses 6-7 read, "When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink." Wow! What an amazing event! The nets were breaking, the boats were sinking, and they all got rich! The last night of failure was immediately forgotten. How proud their wives would be at such a catch! What compassion Jesus had for these men, their families, and their self-esteem. Sometimes I got the impression that Jesus isn't interested in my daily life problems. This leads to a double life in the worst case. My daily work and God’s ministry was stacked on my shoulder and neck at the same time. I wanted to live a successful life in this world experiencing the glory of God. However, the reality is reality. My capacity is too limited to carry the both of the living and God’s ministry. As time goes by, my strength has been exhausted and find myself to live like Peter, non-committed follower who know Jesus but washing the nets for a living. But Jesus wants to be involved in my lives. He wants to be the Lord in every sphere of life, whether in my job in company or my shepherd work in campus ministry. This is the relationship he wants to have with me. I found that like Simon, at first I should acknowledge Jesus’ saying as the word of the Lord to be honored. When Jesus is Lord over my life, the kingdom of God has come to me! Confessing that Jesus is my Lord, Jesus is my King, Jesus is my Shepherd, that is the starting point of real relationship with Jesus. The secret of a whole and happy life is to submit to Jesus' Lordship in all areas. How would they respond to such a catch? Read verses 8-10a. "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!' For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners." They were astonished. This was not just luck; they all had the same conclusion: this was a miracle! Look at verse 8, "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees." This was a turning point in Simon Peter's life. Simon lost interest in the fish, and was focused on Jesus. This amazing miracle didn't distract him from Jesus while some become distracted at the time of blessing. He said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man." Simon Peter recognized Jesus as Lord. This event opened Simon Peter's eyes to see who Jesus is. Jesus is the Lord of the fish and the sea. Jesus is the Lord God. But Peter's response is negative: "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man." Before the Lord, Simon knew himself as he truly was; he was a sinful man. He lived a normal life. He was diligent fishing at night and doing that he should do. It seems that he did not have any serious sin problem. But in view of this miracle, he realized how sinful he was. Living without acknowledging God as the lord is sin in itself. Although the miraculous catch, he was not proud. He gave glory to Jesus as Lord, and found himself as a sinner. When Peter responded by obeying Jesus' words, he met the living God there on his boat. Jesus became involved in his lives. But Jesus has a greater goal in mind than just blessing him with a miraculous catch. Jesus wants to reveal himself and to reveal who we are before Jesus because this is the foundation of a right relationship with Jesus. Read verse 10b. "Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.'" Jesus said, "Don't be afraid”, which means the forgiveness of sin from Jesus. Jesus came to call sinners, just like Simon. Jesus embraces Simon with forgiving love. At the same time, Jesus is giving Simon a new purpose and identity. Jesus said, "From now on you will fish for people." The origin of "catch" or "fish for" was from Greek meaning "to capture" or "take alive." Peter used to pull fish out of the water to eat them. Now he would pull people from the darkness of the sin and death and deliver them to life. Look at verse 11. "So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Their leaving everything behind reveals their full commitment to their identity and their trust in Jesus for the future. Consequently, Jesus called Peter to be his disciple at the lake of Gennesaret. This is about the relationship with Jesus and the purpose of his calling. Jesus wants to have such a deep relationship with us. He does so by interrupting our life at God’s time and challenging us with his words "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." God help us not only to hear his challenge, but also to respond with faith and obedience. May God help us to invite Jesus in our daily life and have a deep relationship with him, so that we can live as the fishers of men, not the fishers of fish. |
| 
|
