Wednesday 17 January 2024

Psalm 61

Background

In Luke’s Gospel, after previously introducing Jesus’ ministry in the synagogues in Galilee, the passage today shows Jesus calling the first of his disciples, or followers. The lake of Gennesaret is the same as the Sea of Galilee and provides the setting for Jesus’ calling of Simon, also known as Simon Peter. This was not the first time Jesus and Simon had met. In Luke 4:38 Jesus went to Simon’s house and Simon’s mother-in-law was healed by Jesus.

Simon was with his partners – fishing boats would generally go out in pairs – and they had been fishing all night without success. They were getting ready to go home, I imagine feeling tired and disillusioned, as their livelihood would rely on them having fish to sell – and were sat washing their nets. When Jesus asked to use Simon’s boat as a teaching platform, Simon would have had the opportunity again to learn from Jesus. It was after these encounters with Jesus that Jesus challenged Simon to listen and respond to his words: "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (5.4).

The passage highlights the authority of Jesus and Simon’s obedience. When he responded to Jesus, Simon caught so many fish that his nets began to break and both boats were full to the point of almost sinking. The double name ‘Simon Peter’ only occurs here in the whole of Luke’s Gospel, when Simon responded to the extravagant miracle by falling to his knees, aware of his own sinfulness.

Although his partners, James and John, responded with him, Simon is introduced early on in this gospel as the one who would be the central and leading apostle (the 12 closest disciples – see Luke 6:12-16). These first disciples did not follow Jesus for material gain; this amazing haul of fish was apparently abandoned on the shore with the boats, when they left everything to follow Jesus. However, towards the end of John’s Gospel, in chapter 21, Simon Peter and some of the other disciples went out fishing again, which suggests they retained ownership of their boats and not all was given up.

To Ponder:

• Simon and his partners left everything and followed Jesus. To what extent do you think people are called to do the same today – and what might this look like?
• Do you find the calling ‘to catch people’ helpful or unhelpful, and why? What analogy do you think Jesus might use today? 

Prayer

Forgive me, God, for the ways I speak, think or act, that hurt others and dishonour you. Thank you that you are a forgiving God and call ordinary people to follow you. Amen.