The Call of the Fishermen

LUKE 5:1-11

LAST week’s lesson reviewed the experiences of Andrew, Simon (Peter), Philip, and Nathanael in becoming acquainted with the Master, but the record (John 1:35-49) does not indicate that Jesus straightway invited them to become full time partners in the work as his disciples. The incidents recorded in today’s lesson apparently occurred some time later, and it was on this occasion that Jesus invited Peter, Andrew, James, and John to give up their fishing business, explaining to them that he would make them fishers of men.

Doubtless, however, after these fishermen became acquainted with Jesus they continued to spend much time with him, and he with them. Probably a close friendship had developed between them. If this were so, it would explain why Jesus felt free to step into Peter’s boat and request him to push off shore that he might be detached somewhat from the crowd and thus be in a better position to teach them. Jesus would hardly take this liberty in the case of a stranger.

In last week’s lesson we learned that Andrew recognized that Jesus was the Christ of promise, but the account does not say that this recognition was then shared by Peter. Perhaps Peter was not too sure of this point, and while appreciating the marvelous characteristics of the Master, was waiting to be convinced. It may have been for this reason that Jesus asked him to cast his net on the other side of the boat. When he did so, it was immediately filled with fish.

Even in the face of this miracle, Peter did not openly admit that he was convinced of. Jesus’ messiahship. He did say to Jesus, however, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (vs. 8) This statement seems very significant, especially when compared with a similar one made by the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah tells us that he “saw the Lord, … high and lifted up,” and then he adds, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isa. 6:1,5) Apparently to devout Israelites a recognition of having been near to or in the presence of the Lord gave them a very keen sense of their own sinful condition. A similar reaction should be experienced by all who do not think of themselves more highly than they ought to think.

Peter was brought face to face with the miraculous. Regardless of how we might explain why their nets were filled with fish simply by casting them on the opposite side of their boat, it still would be a miracle, and Peter recognized this. It made him conscious of the fact that Jesus possessed powers, or could call upon powers, beyond the human. To see this demonstration of divine power, and to sense its implications, had the same effect on Peter as Isaiah’s vision had on him. Perhaps it was this very experience that convinced Peter that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

As we noted in last week’s lesson, it would seem to be essential that all the apostles, in becoming full time followers of Jesus, recognize that he was the Christ of promise. However, since Jesus could read their hearts, it may not be that they all at first, openly confessed this great truth.

One of the apostles later explained, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It may have been in order to elicit this confession from Peter that Jesus later asked them, “Whom say ye that I am?” (Rom. 10:10; Matt. 16:15) Jesus’ great satisfaction over Peter’s confession suggests that this was the first time the “stone” apostle had openly declared himself on the point.

On the occasion of our lesson, Jesus invited the three to give up everything and devote their lives to the Lord’s cause, saying that he would make them fishers of men. Their prior part time affiliation with the Master had evidently prepared them for this step, and now they willingly made arrangements to dispose of their business in order that they might respond to this call.

It was a wonderful step to take, and only once did any of them ever waver from fulfilling all the conditions of the call. That was after Jesus’ resurrection, when, seeing very little of the Master, and uncertain of what lay ahead, Peter said that he was going back into the fishing business. The others joined him, but only to fail the first night, and the next morning Jesus revealed himself to them by a miracle just like the one he performed when he first called them into the service.—John 21:3-7

QUESTIONS

Did Andrew and Simon become full time disciples of Jesus when they first became acquainted with him?

What is indicated by Peter’s confession of sin when Jesus performed the miracle of the fishes?

Did Peter or the others ever waver in their determination to continue giving all in their service of the Master?

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