Luke 5:1-11

1. Even though I am ordained at EMC, the Alliance Church does not recognize my ordination, so I have been going through the Alliance Church’s ordination process again since 2023. This process includes writing papers, book reviews, completing the Alliance History and Thought course, and ongoing mentorship. I meet monthly with a pastor at Virden Alliance Church for mentoring, which I will continue until the process is complete. Mentorship, though not as common in modern education, used to be a primary way of teaching, especially in ancient times. Socrates, Plato, Cicero, and Aristotle were renowned mentors, educating rulers and influential figures in the first century. While modern schooling is now more widespread, mentorship retains its value in personal development and leadership training. 

2. Mentorship is about teaching and guiding someone. It's like a modern apprenticeship where the mentor shares their knowledge and experiences with the mentee. They have open conversations, exploring different ideas and questions. This helps the mentee learn and grow, eventually becoming like their mentor. In today’s part, Jesus chose disciples and became their mentor. And, we can learn a lot from their relationship. Let us read Luke 5:1-11.

Luke 5:1–3 NRSV

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 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.

Luke 5:4–6 NRSV

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.

Luke 5:7–9 NRSV

So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;

Luke 5:10–11 NRSV

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

3. In today's scripture, we see Jesus calling His first disciples after His impactful teachings and healing ministry in chapter 4.  It's fascinating to observe how these individuals responded to His call. The Gospels offer slightly different accounts of this event. Luke suggests Peter may have already known Jesus, having witnessed the healing of his mother-in-law.  Mark, however, presents the calling of Peter before the healing. 

Mark 1:16–17 NRSV

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

Mark 1:29–31 NKJV

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

4. It's true that Mark and Luke seem to present different timelines of Jesus calling his disciples. This isn't necessarily a contradiction, but rather a reflection of the Evangelists' unique purposes. Both emphasize Jesus as the Messiah and the significance of those He called to follow Him. Mark highlights the immediacy of Peter's faith.  When Jesus calls, Peter responds with seemingly instant obedience.  This emphasizes the power of Jesus' call and the transformative nature of faith. Luke, on the other hand, offers a possible explanation for Peter's readiness to follow. By placing the healing of Peter's mother-in-law before the call, Luke suggests that Peter's faith was nurtured through witnessing Jesus's miraculous power. Ultimately, both accounts are valid. They remind us that faith can blossom in various ways – sometimes instantaneously, sometimes through a gradual process of encountering Christ. There's no single formula for how or when faith takes root.

5. When I first started attending church, I wasn't there for faith. Honestly, it was the food and the friends that drew me in. But over time, as I got to know Jesus and experience His love and mercy, I began to realize He was my Lord and Savior. Eventually, I was able to fully embrace Him and confess my faith, much like Peter's experience described in Luke. Interestingly, my friend had a completely different experience.  He immediately connected with Jesus in a profound way.  From the very beginning, he understood who Jesus was and what He had done for him, similar to Mark's portrayal of Peter's immediate faith. It's fascinating how faith can begin in such diverse ways, isn't it? 

6. In Luke 5:1-11, we see Jesus demonstrating what He desires for His followers. He begins with mentorship, modelling the life His disciples should now live – a life dedicated to Him, not themselves.  By accepting Jesus, they've surrendered their lives to His purpose, making Him the master and guide of their journey.

Romans 6:5–6 NLT

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

John 15:9–11 NIV

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Philippians 2:5–7 MSG

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!

7. Jesus didn't just call His disciples; He became their master, guiding them toward a transformed life.  Before encountering Jesus, their lives were all about outward appearances, focused on external actions without any real inner change.  But now, with Jesus as their motivation and guide, their focus shifted from the outside in. Their desires underwent a complete reversal.  Where they once chased fame and fortune, they now pursued God's glory and the love of Christ.  It was a total upside-down transformation, fuelled by a newfound relationship with Jesus.

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

8. The Protestant Reformation brought about a rediscovery of the crucial doctrine of "justification by faith."  While Martin Luther emphasized this doctrine as a declaration of our salvation in Christ, another reformer, Balthasar Hubmaier, viewed it as the very starting point of the Christian life. I find Hubmaier's perspective particularly insightful.  Justification by faith isn't simply the end goal; it's the catalyst for a transformed life. It marks the beginning of our journey as believers, compelling us to follow Jesus' teachings and live anew. In essence, justification by faith signifies a rebirth, a conversion, an inner transformation that radiates outward. It's the foundation upon which we build a life devoted to Christ.

Romans 6:1–4 NASB 2020

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

9. Our new life in Christ is defined by following Jesus' example. This means living a life of trust and obedience, marked by humility and responsibility, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus exemplified humility and obedience throughout His ministry, and He relied on the Spirit's guidance.  We, too, are called to embrace these qualities. Our baptism symbolizes our commitment to follow Jesus' way, while communion reminds us of His love and sacrifice, renewing our pledge to love God and others. As disciples, we are called to obey Jesus' teachings and live according to His example. It's a life transformed from the inside out, a journey of faith and obedience guided by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:12–14 NRSV

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Romans 8:15–17 NRSV

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

10. Our true identity is found in Jesus. When we believe in Him, He gives us a brand new identity, one that can't be tarnished by our mistakes. So, let's focus on living out this new life in Christ. Don't dwell on the past, but look to Jesus, who has given us a fresh start. Remember the commitment we made to love Him and obey His commands. This is who we are now – children of God, loved and redeemed.