Luk 5:4-8 | KingComments | STEP | This chapter shows us in four phases how one becomes a follower after the example of the Lord Jesus. For this purpose, the events in this chapter are brought together, without Luke taking the chronological order into account. It begins with self-judgment ( ), followed by cleansing ( ) and forgiveness and strength ( ), after which the call to service can follow ( ). The chapter concludes with as a result of all previous events the presentation of the new which replaces the old ( ). The Lord preaches the Word of God by the lake of Gennesaret. Because the crowd is pressing around Him, He is almost pushed into the sea. He then does not use His Divine power to keep people at a distance, as in Luke 4 ( ), but He resorts to one of the two boats He sees lying there. While He brings the Word of God, the fishermen are washing their nets. They apparently just came back from the catch. What do they come back at a nice moment, although they are disappointed that working all night has yielded nothing. But they will experience great things. The Lord goes aboard one of the boats without asking. He is the Lord. It is the boat of Simon Peter. Simon does not ask Him what He does. The Lord asks Simon to put out a little way from the land. Simon obeys immediately. He makes his boat and his strengths and his time available. He will be quite tired after a night of fishing, but if the Lord asks him, he will make an effort again. This is how Simon participates in the work of the Lord. He gives Him the opportunity to sit in his boat and teach the people from his boat. Do we also make available our resources, powers and time so that the Lord can do His work to bless others? There comes an end to the Lord’s speaking. He knows what the people are able to bear. Now it’s time for something else. He is going to reward Simon for his cooperation. He tells him to put out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch. It is not an attempt to catch something, because He already establishes the result. As an experienced fisherman, Peter cannot help to point out to Him that they have fished all night, but that all their efforts have been fruitless. They did it as they always did and they are experienced fishermen. He knows that it won’t work during the day if it doesn’t work at night. Simon, however, begins his reaction with acknowledging the Lord as “Master”, that is, his Superior. It is the title of someone who stands above others. The word used here for “master” is only found in this Gospel ( ). This acknowledgment opens the way to blessing. Peter has already acknowledged that the old, tried and tested method does not work. Now he must do it the way the Lord indicates. Because the Master says so, he will let down the nets. This is faith in the Word of the Lord. The result of obedience is blessing, a great blessing. The Lord has put so many fish into their nets that they cannot keep the mass. Human resources are too small to receive the blessing that the Son of God gives. There is so many fish that the other boat is also filled with fish. Both boats are filled to the brim with fish. The boats are so full that they begin to sink. The Son of God blesses with a full, overflowing measure. After the resurrection of the Lord, Peter is again instructed to cast out the net and then the net is not torn ( ). The fact that it is after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus indicates that the new has come. Only those who are numbered come into the net.

‏ Luke 5:4-8

Introduction

This chapter shows us in four phases how one becomes a follower after the example of the Lord Jesus. For this purpose, the events in this chapter are brought together, without Luke taking the chronological order into account. It begins with self-judgment (Lk 5:1-11), followed by cleansing (Lk 5:12-16) and forgiveness and strength (Lk 5:17-25), after which the call to service can follow (Lk 5:27-32). The chapter concludes with as a result of all previous events the presentation of the new which replaces the old (Lk 5:35-39).

An Amazing Catch of Fish

The Lord preaches the Word of God by the lake of Gennesaret. Because the crowd is pressing around Him, He is almost pushed into the sea. He then does not use His Divine power to keep people at a distance, as in Luke 4 (Lk 4:30), but He resorts to one of the two boats He sees lying there.

While He brings the Word of God, the fishermen are washing their nets. They apparently just came back from the catch. What do they come back at a nice moment, although they are disappointed that working all night has yielded nothing. But they will experience great things. The Lord goes aboard one of the boats without asking. He is the Lord. It is the boat of Simon Peter. Simon does not ask Him what He does.

The Lord asks Simon to put out a little way from the land. Simon obeys immediately. He makes his boat and his strengths and his time available. He will be quite tired after a night of fishing, but if the Lord asks him, he will make an effort again. This is how Simon participates in the work of the Lord. He gives Him the opportunity to sit in his boat and teach the people from his boat. Do we also make available our resources, powers and time so that the Lord can do His work to bless others?

There comes an end to the Lord’s speaking. He knows what the people are able to bear. Now it’s time for something else. He is going to reward Simon for his cooperation. He tells him to put out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch. It is not an attempt to catch something, because He already establishes the result.

As an experienced fisherman, Peter cannot help to point out to Him that they have fished all night, but that all their efforts have been fruitless. They did it as they always did and they are experienced fishermen. He knows that it won’t work during the day if it doesn’t work at night. Simon, however, begins his reaction with acknowledging the Lord as “Master”, that is, his Superior. It is the title of someone who stands above others. The word used here for “master” is only found in this Gospel (Lk 5:5 ; Lk 8:24 ; 45 ; Lk 9:33 ; 49 ; Lk 17:13).

This acknowledgment opens the way to blessing. Peter has already acknowledged that the old, tried and tested method does not work. Now he must do it the way the Lord indicates. Because the Master says so, he will let down the nets. This is faith in the Word of the Lord. The result of obedience is blessing, a great blessing. The Lord has put so many fish into their nets that they cannot keep the mass. Human resources are too small to receive the blessing that the Son of God gives.

There is so many fish that the other boat is also filled with fish. Both boats are filled to the brim with fish. The boats are so full that they begin to sink. The Son of God blesses with a full, overflowing measure.

After the resurrection of the Lord, Peter is again instructed to cast out the net and then the net is not torn (Jn 21:11). The fact that it is after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus indicates that the new has come. Only those who are numbered come into the net.

Fishers of Men

Simon Peter acknowledges that the Lord has brought the fish into the net. He suddenly finds himself facing the almighty and omniscient God. The proof of His power brings him at His feet. In His light he sees himself as a sinful person. He acknowledges that he cannot be with Him. At the same time, he is at the Lord’s feet. He is close to Him. This makes him feel that the Lord will not send him away. He knows that the Lord accepts a broken spirit and does not despise a broken and a contrite heart (Psa 51:17). This conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit presents the greatness of Christ. A person who sees this will see himself as a sinner.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit also shows the attractiveness of Christ. He is the Man to Whom the word of Proverbs 19 applies perfectly: “What is desirable in a man is his kindness“ (Pro 19:22a). This word can be put as a heading above this Gospel, that presents Him as Man. The Lord is full of kindness to receive convicted sinners. He longs for them. The man who sees this, knows that He does not repel a convicted sinner, but accepts him. Several have said that they have sinned or that they are a sinful man, but have not done so at the feet of the Lord Jesus, trusting in Him, and therefore they never have found peace.

Peter’s boat sailed up the lake twice in a twenty-four hour period. One time at night, because then the chance of a good catch is greatest, and one time during the day, when the chance of a good catch is considerably smaller. The environment is the same on both occasions, also the men and also the material. Only one thing is different: the second time Christ is on board. That makes the big difference in the result.

Amazement because of the great catch has seized Simon and all who are with him. It makes a deep impression on them. James and John are also mentioned by name. They are professional colleagues of Simon and even partners. They share in the catch and in the amazement. They will also be called by the Lord to follow Him at the same time as Peter.

A calling is always personal. Luke shows how the Lord calls Simon, but it also applies to the others. The Lord calms Simon, who is lying at His feet. He need not be afraid of His greatness. Seeing Christ and trusting His word means giving room to the perfect love that casts out fear (1Jn 4:18). At the same time, this is the right attitude with which the Lord can move forward. Therefore He then tells Peter that from this moment on he will become a fisher of man. Through Peter’s personal experience, he can now go catching men by impressing them with the greatness of Christ and their own sinfulness.

The fishermen finish their daily work neatly, they pull the boats ashore. Then they leave everything and follow Him. It’s written down so simple, but what an event! The encounter with the Lord Jesus and His calling have resulted in an enormous change in their life. There is no consideration, no request to say goodbye first. The calling of the Lord is decisive. They can leave the consequences to Him.