Now on You Will Catch Men (Luke 5:1-11)

Doctor Luke describes the circumstance which the Lord had prepared to pick up some fishermen to be HIS disciple and later apostles. HE had not gone into seminaries or schools in order to recruit instead HE went towards lake to call humbles to whom God had already chosen (cf. Jn. 17:6). Other three of gospel authors – Matthew, Mark and John have mentioned about the calling of Peter, but Luke described this particular incident totally different way than others. He set the surrounding circumstance which enabled Peter to obey his Master. 

In this passage, the Holy Spirit has inspired Luke to write down these words in such way that it shall lay down the foundational principles of Church planting. Primarily, we missionaries are called to plant Church. We should not target our aim less than that. It is optional case to involve ourselves personally with someone or church activities, but our goal should be work with Christ in order to build the Church. It is God’s desire to use us to build HIS Church. HE has placed each one of us exactly where HE intended to build HIS Church. We need to understand also that it is not buildings, but the Body of Christ what God has intended. 

   Sowing the Word of God faithfully (vs. 1-3)

In vs. 1-3 says that Jesus was surrounded by crowd and people were listening the word of God. This is one of characteristics of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Wherever HE went, HE kept on teaching people in synagogues, temple, house, pasture lands, sea shores, etc. HE never desired any pulpit in order to teach the Word of God. HE never looked for a season in order to proclaim the good news. Wherever HE stood for teaching the Word of God had become HIS pulpit. For example, HE taught HIS famous sermon which is called “the Sermon of the Mount” from mountainside (Mt. 4:1); from boat (Lk. 5:3).  For HIM, there was not special time in order to teach. HE taught Jewish Rabbi named Nicodemus at night (Jn. 3:1-21), HE taught HIS disciple at night when HE was about to betray. (Jn.14-16) Jesus did it faithfully and diligently. Till HIS last breathe on the Cross or last moment before HIS ascension, HE was teaching the Word of God.

Look at the ministry of early church which is recorded in the book of Acts. Apostles also had adopted the same strategy to plant church. In Acts 2:42 says that believers were devoted to the apostles’ teaching and in vs. 6:2 indicates the core commitment of apostles that is the ministry of Word. Apostle Paul also followed similar strategy for his missionary movement. In Acts 19:9-10, we may see that Paul had teaching session in lecture hall for two years. The book of Acts (28:31) ends with these words – “Boldly and without hindrance he (Paul) preached the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Sowing the Word of God in peoples’ heart is the most needed task which enabled us to plant the Church. Nowadays there are people in evangelical circle who always neglect the sound doctrines or the importance of theology in their teachings. They think that there is no need in order to win souls. They maintain that theology or doctrine divides. But they have forgotten that every epistle in the Holy Bible lay down foundational doctrine or theology to defend heresies or cults. The Holy Spirit inspired each human pen to expose the devil’s lies by the set of doctrinal standards. So we need to understand that the Word of God is not something through which we manipulate people to believe Jesus or become Christians. But the Word of God is the truth through which we exposed the reality of human nature and its remedy in only Jesus Christ. We are responsible to sow the seeds in the human’s heart faithfully (it involves sound practical application with sound doctrine or theology), and the Holy Spirit to convince them regarding to sin and righteousness and judgement (cf. Jn. 16:8).

The Spirit whispers gently in our ears – Do it faithfully. Solomon says in Ecc. 11:6, “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”

Obeying the God’s Command (vs. 4-6)

As Jesus finished his teaching session, HE commanded to Peter to put his net into deep water to catch fish. Although Peter expressed his disappointment saying, “We have toiled whole night and nothing have caught,” obeyed what Jesus commanded and the Word says that their nets filled with large number of fish. All his skills and past experience in this profession failed to catch fish, but when he did what Jesus commanded, his nets were full with fish. It is what God expects from us.

In Acts 16:6-10, Paul obeyed what the Spirit asked. Paul and his companions were guided by the Spirit and it led them to plant the Church in Philippi. We all need to understand that planting the Church is not mere a human adventure, but it is human adventure achieved through divine resources with divine design. Noah made Ark according to God’s words. The Holy Bible witnesses it in two places that Noah did all that the Lord commanded him in vs. 6:22, 7:5. Moses made every article in the temple according to what God told him. Noah and Moses obeyed God’s commands in order to build Ark and Tabernacle; and its articles. So when we speak about the Church, we need to know that she is the body of Christ, the bride of Christ. We need to obey HIS commands in order to build HIS Son’s bride.  We serve HIM and involve to plant the Church is not that it is good to do, but it is Jesus’ word to do so. 

Asking Others’ Help (vs. 7)

As Peter casted his nets into deep water according to Jesus’ command, they caught a large number of fish; and they were unable to handle it properly. Therefore they asked help from their partners who were in other boats. We need to have same attitude – to help others and to be helped by others. We can’t plant Church without other human’s help. We need someone, who can support us financially and through prayer. We need someone, who can encourage us by teaching God’s word. We need someone who can help us in ministry. We all know William Carey and his great works, but no one remembers Andrew Fuller who served as rope holder for William Carey and his ministry.  When William Carey came into India as missionary, Andrew Fuller served as main promoter, fundraiser, thinker and letter-writer of the missionary society for 21 years. Result of it, we can see a full grown tree of Baptist denomination in the northeast India and other parts of our country. 

In planting the Church, we need to help others as well as to be helped by others. There should be no hesitation to ask others’ help. There is beautiful picture which Paul portrayed in the epistle of the first Corinthians. In 1 Cor. 3:6, he says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it ...” So be feel free to ask help from others.  

Adopting a Humble Spirit (vs. 8-10a)

Let me ask a question – what will your response as you will have great success by doing what Jesus asked to do? First response, you will be overjoyed. Then you may share your wonderful testimony before the congregation that people may clap after hearing. Some of us may be become very boastful and may be acted as special person of God. But look at the response of Peter. The word says in vs. 8, “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” Peter humbled himself before Jesus and expressed his humble attitude. He became more aware about his own sinful nature. He realized his unworthiness in order to be worthy of HIS mercy.

Peter recognized Jesus as God. His response was similar to Isaiah and Job. In Isaiah 6 chapter, when he saw the glorious vision of God, he cried out saying, “Woe to me! ... I am a man of unclean lips ...” (vs. 5). In Job 42:5-6, he says, “My ears had heard you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” This is what takes place in a man’s life that comes in the knowledge of Christ. The greatest church planter who ever lived, Apostle Paul precisely declared his inner struggle with sin throughout his life (See Rom. 7:7-25). In 1 Tim. 1:15, Paul declared himself that he is the worst among all sinners. This is similar attitude must be adopted by us in order to be successful church planter. Peter humbled and accepted his sin, Jesus called him rock on which he promised to build HIS church (see Mt. 16:18). We need to understand that only HIS grace, nothing else has been enabling us to serve HIM and to be part of planting Church.
    

Following the Master’s Footsteps (vs. 10b-11)

Finally, Jesus comforted Peter and said, “... from now on you will catch men.” and immediately, Peter left everything along with some of his companions and followed HIM. (Vs. 10b-11) It was Apostle Peter who penned the first epistle of Peter where he spoke about the theology of suffering of being Christians. Actually he had learnt through his own failure about what does it mean to follow Jesus. In 1 Pt. 2:21-23, he writes, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.“HE committed no sin, and no deceit was found in HIS mouth.” When they hurled their insults at HIM, HE did not retaliate; when HE suffered, HE made no threats. Instead HE entrusted HIMSELF to HIM who judge justly.” 

Look at the history of missionary movement, you will find the story of hardships, death, persecution, hate, inhuman suffering etc. Someone said that church is the seed of Martyrs’ blood. Whoever said it, he was true. We need to understand the cost in following the Master’s footsteps. There are always cost to pay in order to build HIS church and sometime we pay it by losing our earthly life.

Conclusion / Application

Finally, I like to conclude it by telling a legend, which always has been challenged me.There is a legend about the return of Jesus to Heaven …

Meeting Gabriel, Jesus stated that He had completed His divinely appointed task. “And what is your plan?” enquired Gabriel. “How is the Gospel to be spread and be planted the church? Did you leave a big strong organization on earth to carry out your plan?”

“No,” answered Jesus. “I left no such organization, only a small group of disciples, mostly of very humble birth. They are to tell the world”.

“But suppose they fail you,” persisted Gabriel, “what plan you have then?”

“I have no other but I rely on them”, replied Jesus.

Every major act of God since creation is a 'missionary act'. And, 'Mission' is so close to God's heart that He sent His only Son, Jesus to make it possible to reach man.

Today, more than two thousand years have gone, Jesus still has no other plan. In order to fulfill His Great Commission in order to plant the Church, He is relying upon you and me. 

What is your response? Does this touch the core of your heart? 

May the Lord help us to be within HIS will! 


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