Transforming Sinful People into Kingdom Workers

The placement of "the great catch of fish" episode in Luke's gospel (Luke 5:1-11) sheds light on the means Jesus will use in fulfilling his mission. Up to this point in Luke's narrative, Jesus has been fulfilling his mission alone. As his mission expands outside the boundaries of Galilee and begins to receive increasingly larger public interest, there is a need to recruit fellow messengers. The great catch of fish is the beginning of Jesus' commissioning others to advance his work. Through this event we learn that Jesus is able to make out of sinful people fellow workers for God's kingdom.

According to Luke 4:43, Jesus has a clear sense of divine purpose on his life and ministry, a purpose that involves preaching the kingdom of God to many cities: "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities… for I was sent for this purpose." This purpose of God is the controlling theme of Luke-Acts (Luke 4:43; 7:30; 9:22; 13:33; 17:25; 21:9; 22:37; 24:7, 44; Acts 4:28; 9:21; 20:27; 23:11; 27:24). Throughout Luke's narrative, God's purpose is evidenced to be unstoppable, even in the midst of human rebellion. Though God's people rebel against God's divine purpose, God's purpose is furthered -- not only in spite of their rebellion, but even by means of it!

At the beginning of chapter 5, Jesus is south of Capernaum, in the small, fertile northwest region of the Lake of Gennesaret. The size of the crowd prevents Jesus from speaking from the shore, so he takes advantage of two unused fishing boats as a platform from which to address the people. This sets the stage for the miracle that is about to follow, for one of the boats is Simon's boat. The other boat is also important to the unfolding plot, for it will be necessary to haul the great catch of fish.

It is not stated whether the crowd witnessed the miracle that follows Jesus' preaching. It is probable that they dispersed after he was finished speaking. Regardless, the crowd's interest in Jesus resulting in this unusual location for public teaching serves the purpose of providing the context for the encounter between Simon and Jesus. At this point in the narrative, the focus narrows on the interaction between these two men. Later we learn that James and John were silent witnesses to the spectacle that is about to unfold. In the course of the narrative, they end up sharing the same response and subsequently answering the same call that Simon does, but the focus in the text is on Simon and Jesus.

The miracle begins with Jesus commanding Simon to go fishing. Simon agrees to this foolish request in spite of all the obstacles present. As an experienced fisherman, Jesus' command must have appeared absurd to Simon. A hard night's work had failed to produce anything. Surely, this must have frustrated the weary fisherman. Furthermore, fishing in deep water was unlikely to produce a good catch during the daytime. Finally, it appears that the nets had either been cleaned, or were in the process of being cleaned, increasing the workload of an already frustrating and fruitless day.

All of this frustration is apparent in Simon's response to Jesus: "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing" (v. 5). Yet, despite all appearances to the contrary, Simon placed his trust in Jesus' word. His obedience is heightened by this fact and stands as an exemplary response to Jesus' commands.

The context for this episode reveals that Simon's obedience did not arise in a vacuum. Simon had previously witnessed Jesus' healing of his mother (Luke 4:38-39) and it is very likely that he was present for Jesus' healings and exorcisms (Luke 4:40-41). Having seen Jesus at work must have been a major factor in his quick obedience to Jesus' command.

Immediately following Simon's obedience, the fishermen witness a great miracle. The greatness of the miracle is underscored by the fact that they "enclosed a great quantity of fish" -- such a large quantity that their nets were beginning to break. The catch was so large that the fishermen had to call on others to help. In the end, both boats were so filled with fish that they were on the verge of sinking!

Simon's response to this miracle reveals much concerning Simon and even more concerning Jesus. Instead of reveling in the large quantity of fish and the profitableness of the catch, Simon's focus is on Jesus. Simon's response reveals his sense of amazement, unworthiness, and fear in the presence of divine power. His reaction is not a moral response due to any specific transgression on his part, but an ontological response to a being that is unlike him -- a being outside of his categories and comfort zone. Simon recognizes that there is a vast difference between Jesus and himself. This is not just Simon's personal reaction, but the reaction of all those who witnessed this miracle. At this point in the narrative, James and John are mentioned as witnesses of this mighty work, due to their partnership with Simon. Yet, Simon remains the focus of attention, when Jesus offers the word of comfort and commission in 10b.

Simon's response is similar to the prophet Isaiah's response to God's presence in Isaiah 6. In this text, Isaiah's vision of the thrice-holy God leads to a recognition of his own personal sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. This recognition is stated in startling terms. Isaiah is undone, ruined, falling to pieces. God responds to this confession by cleansing Isaiah of his sin and subsequently commissioning Isaiah to prophetic service.

In Luke's narrative, Simon encounters his own theophany. The power and presence of God is revealed in and through the person of Jesus Christ. This manifestation of God's mighty work leads to his statement of fear and unworthiness.

Jesus follows Simon's reaction with a word of comfort ("do not fear") and a word of commission ("you will be catching men"). It is true that Simon is unworthy. It is true that Jesus is markedly different from Simon. But this is no hindrance to Simon's participation in Christ's mission. Indeed, Simon is promised a role in Jesus' mission. In other words, Simon truly is a sinner, and yet, this is exactly the kind of person Jesus calls to share his mission. In short, Jesus commissions sinners to kingdom work. That which would appear to be a hindrance to God's purpose, actually furthers it.

This call "of a sinful man to share his life and work is equivalent to a declaration of forgiveness."[1] In the flow of the narrative, this will be followed by a call to another "sinner", Levi, who will also be invited to share Jesus' ministry (Luke 5:27-28). This pronouncement to sinners "lays the groundwork for Jesus' ministry of forgiveness and the growing reputation of Jesus as 'friend of sinners' (7:34)."[2]

"From now on" highlights the break with the past. Those who Jesus calls will experience a freedom from their past and a bright hope for the future -- a new future with new purpose. The focus of their mission will be to "catch" or "capture alive" other people and bring them into the kingdom.

After bringing their boats to the land, Simon, James, and John leave everything and follow Christ. Their leaving would have economic, vocational, and social ramifications. This reveals a changed set of values. "Leaving all that has been of value, they will now find their fundamental sense of belonging and being in relationship to Jesus, the community being built around him, and the redemptive purpose he serves."[3]

It is Simon's recognition that he is a "sinner" that leads to his usefulness to the mission of God. This is Luke's first use of the term "sinner" and it is a foretaste of what will follow. From this point forward, Jesus will call his followers from the outcasts and sinners of society.

Jesus not only calls people to himself, but also commissions them to actively share his ministry. To be a disciple is to be a fisher of men. Jesus' followers will actively participate in his ministry.

Ultimately, these disciples follow Jesus, not because of his power, but because of his grace. Obviously, his mighty works provided a basis for their response, but not totally. Simon's first reaction to Jesus was not a desire to follow him, but a desire that Jesus would leave his presence. In other words, the mighty works were not the only things that bound Jesus' disciples to him.

Instead, it was Jesus' gracious declaration of forgiveness that was central to Simon's positive response. Jesus made it clear that sinners were exactly the instruments he would use to further and fulfill his mission. This theme will develop throughout the narrative of Luke until it climaxes in the final commission of Jesus' disciples to carry on his mission in the power of the Spirit into all the world (Luke 24:46-49).

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© Richard J. Vincent, February 9, 2001