Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Luke 5:1-11
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon,“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
The calling of the first disciples appears in a few places in scripture. I am partial to the account we find in Luke 5. In Matthew (4:18-22) and Mark (1:16-34) things move so quickly; the details are not included. Here, in Luke, we find Simon and Andrew exhausted from a night of fishing. When Jesus asks them to go back out and toss in their nets, they are not particularly excited. “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5) Simon’s exhaustion does not override his obedience. Jesus does not hold their exhaustion or hesitation against them. On the contrary, God had a plan to use these humble, hardworking fishermen to call people to follow Jesus! Just think of all the different people that God has put to work. Even when we’re exhausted or grumpy, God can use us! We are not called to be perfect, we are called to be obedient. Today, consider what God might be calling you to do. Pray that in your heart and in your hands you will follow his leading.