City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.

Luke 5:1–6

Reflection

Here, Jesus shows up at Peter’s work. In this passage, there are three mentions of Jesus teaching: on the shore, from the boat, and that He finished, but there is no mention of what Jesus taught. This is because what the Holy Spirit wanted us to remember was what Jesus did, not what He taught.

This story starts with Jesus working in His teaching ministry. As people from the back press in on people in front, and people in front feeling the pressure move closer to Jesus, the crowd becomes denser, and it’s harder for people to hear Jesus. Being heard is fundamental for being a good teacher. So, Jesus comes up with a better way to teach so more people can hear Him. 

I can find no other mention in ancient literature of a teacher teaching from a boat to people on the shore. It’s an innovative and effective way to ensure one is heard. A boat is a natural platform, and water naturally amplifies sound. Getting in the boat and pushing away from shore created a natural separation between Jesus and His audience. Jesus’ improvisation here is an example for all Christians that they should always be looking for ways to be better at their job.

When Jesus is done teaching, He tells Peter to put the boat out into deep water and lower the nets. Peter reluctantly agrees, noting they had been out all night — the best time for net fishing on the Sea of Galilee—and caught nothing. Peter thought he knew more about fishing than Jesus, and he could not have been more mistaken.

When Jesus took on the role of a winemaker in Cana, He made excellent wine (See John 2:1-10). When Jesus assumed the role of a physician, He did something no doctor had ever done (See John 9:1-7, 32). (“Since the beginning of time it has never been hard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.”) And when Jesus taught, He was quickly recognized as the best teacher people had ever heard (See Matthew 7:28-29; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:32; John 7:46) (“Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.”) It’s not surprising then that the people said of Jesus, “Behold, He does all things well” (Mark 7:37).

Application

When Peter followed Jesus’ fishing advice, he obtained a daytime catch the likes of which Peter and his companions had never seen, so large it threatened to break their nets (Luke 5:6). 

This story is a reminder to us that Jesus not only does all things well but that He is willing to help us do what we do well.

He is waiting only to be asked.

Prayer

Lord, please remind me to seek Your guidance to be better in my work so I may bring glory to You. Amen.