Commission
* Luke 4:14-44 records some of the early events in Jesus' ministry. Jesus taught with authority, drove out evil spirits, and healed the sick. Many praised him, but others rejected him. Many in Galilee heard about Jesus, and came to him. Some tried to keep Jesus from leaving them.

¶ "But [Jesus] said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns also, because that is why I was sent" (Luke 4:43, NIV).

* Preaching "the good news of the kingdom of God" was part of Jesus' commission (mission). So he kept on preaching the word of God (4:44-5:1). Read Luke 5:1-11.

Catch
* Jesus was preaching the word of God by the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). As the crowd surrounded him, he decided to use Simon's boat as a floating pulpit. When Jesus finished speaking, he told Simon (Peter), "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch" (5:4).

* Fishing was Peter's business, so he knew how to fish. He and his partners had worked hard all night, and failed to catch fish. It seemed very unlikely that Jesus' way could result in success.
1. Why do you think Jesus asks Peter to attempt this seemingly futile (ineffective) way of fishing after Peter (an expert fisherman) had failed all night?

* Though Peter did not see how Jesus' way could work, he said, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (5:5b). What happened? They caught so many fish that their nets began to break, and their boats began to sink! Simon and all his companions were astonished (amazed).

Confession

¶ "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (5:8, NIV).

2. Why do you think Peter responds in this way?

Commission
* Jesus did not chastise (rebuke, scold) Peter. He calmed him by saying, "Do not be afraid…" (5:10b). Peter's recognition of his own weakness and inadequacy, in contrast to the Lord's power and sufficiency, prepared him for God's service. So Jesus called Peter to join him in his mission. Jesus said, "…from now on you will be catching men" (5:10b).

* Peter, a fisher of fish, would become a fisher of people. This is a figure of speech. Peter would not be catching people for eating! He would be "catching people alive" and bringing them into the kingdom of God. Jesus is the Savior (the Fisher of people, including Peter), but he called Peter (and the others) to join him in his saving work.
* The miracle of the fish illustrates the authority and power of Jesus Christ working through his followers to accomplish God's commission.

Commitment
* "So they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything and followed [Jesus]" (5:11). Peter, James, and John (and presumably Andrew) left their fishing business to enter full-time ministry with Jesus. They changed their jobs.

Connection
* Jesus' call of his first disciples was a unique event. In any case, in some ways their story applies to us. There is a connection between their story and the lives of all believers.

3. Is recognizing (admitting) one's sinfulness, inadequacy and weakness a good thing for anyone who wants to follow Jesus? Explain.

4. Are all believers supposed to be "fishers of people?" If not, why not? If so, in what way?

5. Does Jesus require all his followers to "leave everything" or "give up everything?" If not, why not? If so, in what sense?

Reflection/Application
† Have you been "caught" by the Savior? If you are a believer, what is your part in Jesus' "fishing business?" In what specific ways have you joined Jesus in his mission? Commit to follow him.