Have you ever been fishing?
My first memory of fishing is with my dad.
He cast a line with a rod and reel, then handed it to me to hold.
A bit later, I felt a tug on the line. We tried to reel it in, convinced there was something big on the line.
Turns out it was a baby turtle that had chomped on the bait and then wound the fishing line into a tumbleweed under the water.
Not the catch we were expecting.
Interestingly, my dad never took me fishing again.
Simon Peter also had an unexpected fishing experience.
Setting the scene for Luke 5:1-11
Luke writes to support and strengthen his friend’s certainty about Jesus. (Luke 1:1-4)
After sharing details of Jesus’ infancy and boyhood, Luke details the baptism, genealogy, and temptation of Jesus’ preparation for his ministry. (Luke 1:5-4:13)
Following this, Luke reports Jesus began teaching in the synagogues throughout the Galilean region to great acclaim. (Luke 4:14-15)
Except in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. His hometown attempted to throw him off a cliff. But Luke states Jesus passed through the midst of the crowd and went on his way to Capernaum. (Luke 4:16-31)
While in Capernaum, Jesus teaches in the synagogue, healing a man with authority and power. (Luke 4:32-37)
Apparently, having met Simon while in the synagogue, Jesus gets invited to Simon’s house. While there, Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Then, as the sun is setting, the community also brings their sick to Simon’s house so Jesus could heal them. (Luke 4:38-40)
A Study on Luke 5:1-11
As we proceed into Luke 5:1-11, keep in mind Simon’s experience of Jesus thus far. Besides listening to Jesus teach, Simon’s seen Jesus heal a man in the synagogue, his mother-in-law, and many other sick people from his community with authority and power.
1On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.[i]
- What does the phrase “on one occasion” imply?
3Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.[ii]
- Why was Simon willing to do as Jesus asked?
4And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”[iii]
Luke 5:1 told us the fishers were washing their nets when Jesus arrived on the scene. Now Simon, one of the fishermen, confirms that this activity was after a long night of unsuccessful fishing.
- Explain why Simon agreed to go back out with the nets.
6And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.[iv]
- What emotions might these fishermen have experienced because of this abundant catch after having toiled the night before with no success?
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.[v]
- Using Luke 4:31-41, explain Simon Peter’s response of “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. [vi]
- How does Jesus encourage Simon?
- What motivated these fishermen to leave everything to follow Jesus?
A Study on Luke 5:1-11
Personal Application
Describe your first encounter with the words of Jesus.
What did you find interesting about Jesus from that first encounter?
Is Jesus more, less, or equally interesting to you today? Why?
Simon Peter, James, and John were experienced fishermen. What are your skills?
In a play on words, Jesus called Simon Peter, James, and John to allow him to transform their fishing skills into witnessing about Jesus. As a result, they left their fishing job to become disciples of Jesus.
What has Jesus asked you to give up to follow him? A job? A habit? An attitude? Other?
How has Jesus transformed your skills in witnessing your faith to those around you?
Like Simon Peter, James and John, are you willing to follow Jesus no matter what it costs you? Why or why not?
Another Fishing Memory
My grandparents also took me fishing once.
Grandma showed me how to cast a line with the rod and reel, then had me attempt a cast.
“She’s a natural!” Grandma exclaimed after my first cast.
I was surprised at how quickly I caught something. And it wasn’t a baby turtle this time, but a big catfish.
I kept catching fish quickly that day. Granted, we were at a stocked pond, but no one else in our group caught as much fish as I did that day. Every time I caught another fish, Grandma kept laughing and repeating, “She’s a natural!”
This experience redeemed my initial fishing trip in my mind.
The rules at this stocked pond were that you had to buy everything you caught. You could not catch and release.
Given my newly gained successful fish catching skills, my grandad paid a hefty fee for the fish.
Interestingly, he, like my father, never took me fishing again.
Giggling.
Heavenly Father, as our study of Luke 5:1-11 revealed today, You are the master fisherman. Continue to remind us daily that the skills you have given us are useful beyond just earthly value.
Encourage us to spend time with you each day by reading your words to us found in the scriptures. Open our minds and hearts to receive your instructions with humble obedience, like Simon Peter showed. Also, enable us to follow you with bold confidence like Simon Peter, James and John, no matter the cost.
Thank you for sending us your son Jesus to walk among us and show us how to live in a way that glorifies you. May we too be interesting fishers of humans like you. Amen.
Do you have a fishing story to share? Leave it in the comments below.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 5:1–2.
[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 5:3.
[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 5:4–5.
[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 5:6–7.
[v] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 5:8–10.
[vi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 5:10–11.
Great study.
Great fishing story!
I always enjoy your studies.
Thanks Gloria!