Overflow
3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:3-8)
Luke's gospel provides details to the call to discipleship of Simon, James, John and, presumably, Andrew (because he's included in the other accounts) that are not found in the other gospels. In the other gospels, Jesus called Peter and crew to be "fishers of men", and they immediately dropped everything and followed Jesus. In Luke's gospel, we get to see why they were so compelled.
After fishing all night, catching nothing, then allowing Jesus to teach the shore-lining crowd from his boat, Jesus told Simon (presumably accompanied by his brother Andrew) to go back out into the deep water and let the nets down again. Somewhat, and understandably, reluctantly Simon obeyed, and when he did he caught more fish than he or his nets could handle. So James and John brought their boat back out to assist, and
the catch began to weigh down both boats.
The teaching Simon heard encouraged his obedience, and the power he, and the others, witnessed drove Simon to humble worship, and all of them to discipleship. Nowhere is it noted the kind of fish they originally sought verses the fish they actually caught. Never did Simon tout his lifetime of experience as a reason to second guess or minimize the instruction of this carpenter's son. At no point do we read that the inconvenience of doing again what had already been tried caused more than a moment's hesitation. The obedience of these soon-to-be apostles provided the opportunity for them, and the community of onlookers, to witness Jesus' undeniable power.
May we be available to receive Jesus' teaching right where we are, may that teaching open us to hear, and lead us to obey what Jesus is calling us to do, and may we see evidence of his power that impels us to
humbly worship and faithfully follow.
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. 3 On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth. 5 They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm138)
