Jesus Calls Four Disciples

Luke 5:1-11

GOLDEN TEXT: “Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”—Mark 1:17

OUR Lord had been engaged about a year in preaching, first in Judea, and latterly in Galilee, at the time this lesson opens. He was evidently already acquainted with these fishermen mentioned in our lesson, Peter, Andrew, James and John. It was probably at an earlier interview that our Lord gave Simon the surname of Peter. These fishermen had probably met with Jesus and heard His preaching on other occasions, and were His disciples in a general sense of the word! that is, followers of Him, believers on Him, advocates of His teachings.

Now, however, the time had come for the Lord’s selection of the twelve apostles who should be with Him continually and see His miracles and hear His teachings, and be witnesses of all things said and done. This was in order that they might in due time serve as His special representatives, to give all His subsequent followers accurate and truthful records of the principal events of His ministry.

After preaching to the company on the shore from His seat in the boat, Jesus proposed to Simon and Andrew that the boat be taken into deeper water and the nets cast for fish; but Peter informed the Lord that this would be useless as the day was unfavorable, or for some reason the fish were not in that quarter of the lake at the time and he and his companions had toiled all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, to please Jesus they did as He suggested. As they began to gather in the nets, they found them to be heavily laden with fish, more than their boat could hold. Their partners in the other boat were called and they gave them a helping hand to save some of the fish. The lesson had its designed effect; Simon Peter at once fell on his knees before the Lord, recognizing that no ordinary human being could have produced such results under such circumstances.

There is something very noble about Simon Peter; his impulsiveness itself, is an attractive trait. The zeal and energy with which he was disposed to take hold of any matter considered worthy of his attention is admirable. Indeed we know that Peter, James, and John were the three whom the Lord specially loved—the three who seemed to have the zeal, energy and vim which the Lord appreciated. They were practical illustrations of the admonition, “Whatsoever thy hands find to do, do it with thy might.”

Peter’s words to the Lord, “Depart from me, Oh Lord; for I am a sinful man,” represented his acknowledgment of the great difference between himself and the Master. He caught the true situation, that he was a sinful, imperfect man, while the one before him, the Master, was perfect and in full accord with the Father, and therefore permitted to be the dispenser of the Father’s mercies. Peter’s real sentiment was probably the reverse of his expression. He meant, “Oh Lord, although I am a sinful man, permit me to be near Thee, that I may be blessed by contact with Thee.” This was the proper attitude of heart and the real prayer which Jesus answered in naming him one of His chosen twelve.

Our Lord’s words to Peter were, “From henceforth thou shalt catch men.” These words were applicable also to Peter’s associates, and doubtless were applied to them later as an invitation that they should with Peter join the Lord as His disciples or apostles. The account is Mark 1:17 mentions Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter and his partner in business also, and gives the invitation in slightly different language, namely, “Come ye after Me and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Probably the Lord made use of both expressions, but in any event, they are of similar import.

The apostles were not, as fishers of men, representing men or human institutions. They were not trying to get disciples into some sectarian bondage. They were fishers of men for the Lord and as the Lord’s representatives; as though God would beseech men through them. Their mission was to catch men with the glorious hope and prospect of the Gospel; to bring them into such relationship with the Lord that they would fully and gladly surrender their all to Him. And this is the same course that is properly before the Lord’s representatives today. We are to catch men for the Lord and for His service, not for our personal profit or gain—not for sectarian upbuilding. We are not to give our own liberties to men, nor seek to take away the liberties of others at the behest of men or sects.

The message which goes forth from the true fishers of men whom the Lord commissions is nevertheless the message which means the loss of liberty and loss of life to those who are successfully caught. However, the fishing business does not fully illustrate the matter, for all who are of the Lord’s catch must be willingly His. Otherwise, they will not remain caught, but be cast forth. But their loss of personal liberty and life means the gain of glory, honor and eternal life.

QUESTIONS:

In what sense are the followers of Jesus to be fishers of men?

In what sense does the catching of fish fail to properly represent the attitude of those who are reached by the Gospel?

In what manner do those who become disciples of Christ give up their liberty?

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