5th Sunday after Epiphany
Vicar Gary Schultz
Text: Luke 5:1-11
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken… And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
Have you ever noticed all the talk about water, boats, and fish in the Bible? There’s Noah’s ark and the flood; there’s Jonah being thrown off a boat and swallowed by a big fish; there’s people walking through divided waters, there’s people walking on water; there’s people traveling on boats, teaching on boats, and boats in storms. There’s lots of water in the Bible, and today we hear another story with water – the account of the miraculous catch of fish and Jesus’ calling of His first disciples.
Jesus uses boats, water, and fish to preach the good news of the kingdom of God (4:43). These were things the people were familiar with. The land of Israel is between the Mediterranean Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and the Jordan River. Being a fisherman was a job for many people. Boats, water, and fish were everyday parts of life.
We’re familiar with these images as well. There’s water all around. You’re sitting about six blocks away from Lake Michigan. Shorewood’s geographic location is between this giant lake and the Milwaukee River. Most of you have gone fishing or seen someone fishing before. You know about boats, water, and fish. You’ve seen crashing waves in a storm. You know about the darkness of deep water. So this image of Jesus to tell about His Kingdom continues to illustrate the work of the church and her pastors.
The Psalms speak to us about water as well: Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me (Ps 69:1-2). These words of David portray the biblical imagery of the depths of the sea as disorder, evil, and death. David continues his prayer, showing the depths to be his own sin and unrighteousness. He looks to the Lord to be a deliverer, to save him from sinking in the depths of sin and the enemies of God and His people: But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the water flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me (Ps 69:13-15).
Whether we feel like it or not, the storms of this life are filled with temptations pulling us down. Our journey through life on earth is like swimming through a tumultuous sea. The wind and waves of the storms of life threaten to pull us under and drown us. Temptations and troubles come at us from all sides and constantly. We can’t keep our head above water for long. The currents of our society and media sweep along, encouraging us to give into the temptations of the world and our sinful flesh. But Christ is our deliverer to save us from the deep waters, to keep us from being swallowed up by evil.
“Because Christ is present in the boat, it becomes a symbol of the church” (Maximus of Turin). The church building is often seen as the image of a boat. The place where you’re sitting is called the Nave, from the Latin word for ship. Christ is often called the Anchor. Christians weather the dangerous storms, winds, and waves of the temptations and trials of life through the safety of the boat that is the church. Yet, we are not saved merely by being part of an organization. While helpful for record keeping, being in the church roles or pictorial directory won’t amount to anything when our last hour comes. We are saved in the church because it is the body of Christ Himself. The church is what it is because Christ is who He is – God in the flesh, coming to deliver His people from the depths. We, the church, are the body of Christ, and so we pray: Keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power (Collect). We are the fish. The nets are the preaching of the Gospel that brings us and keeps us in the true faith in the boat of the church. That’s why Christ still calls pastors today so that through the Gospel in Preaching and the Sacraments, people are drawn to and kept in this saving boat.
Peter and his colleagues worked hard, but caught nothing. But at the word of Jesus, a miracle happens. Peter immediately recognizes the power of Jesus’ word. He knows there were no fish to be caught there – he just finished his fishing and caught nothing. At Jesus’ word, there’s more fish than they could ever have imagined. The nets are full. They call in the other boat. Both boats are overflowing. They went from no fish to an abundance of fish. All at Jesus word: Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.
Peter is afraid and astonished. He recognizes Jesus’ miracle. But Jesus assures him: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. Now, Peter will be a disciple of Jesus, called into the apostolic office to preach the Gospel of Christ. Yet, Peter knows that it is not his hard effort that will do the work. When Peter tried to catch fish on his own that night, it didn’t work. The fruits of the labors of his work will be accomplished by Christ and His Gospel. When Jesus spoke to put down the nets, then there was a great result.
New souls are brought into the church through the Preaching of the Gospel.
The church is sustained and grows by the Word of Christ, who works His miraculous catch when and where He wills to. The fishermen let down the nets – the Gospel – trusting that Our Lord knows best what He’s doing.
Just as Christ told the disciples to let down the nets into the depths, so Christ let Himself down into the depths of sin. He endured the waves of God’s wrath, the waves of temptation, the waves of human troubles. He sunk into the deep mire and deep waters where the floods overflow. From the wrath, temptations, and troubles of the cross He was not delivered. But Jesus uses this flood to give new life. The waters of the first flood killed many, but saved Noah and His family. The waters of the Red Sea killed the pursuing Egyptians, but saved God’s people.
The waters of Holy Baptism kill the old Adam, but bring you to new life in Christ. This is primary way that God brings people into His church. Baptism is a flood that both kills and makes alive, a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin. The baptismal liturgy captures the imagery of the church as a saving ship in the storms of life as it directs us to pray: Grant that he be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, he would be declared worthy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 269). Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Text: Luke 5:1-11
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken… And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
Have you ever noticed all the talk about water, boats, and fish in the Bible? There’s Noah’s ark and the flood; there’s Jonah being thrown off a boat and swallowed by a big fish; there’s people walking through divided waters, there’s people walking on water; there’s people traveling on boats, teaching on boats, and boats in storms. There’s lots of water in the Bible, and today we hear another story with water – the account of the miraculous catch of fish and Jesus’ calling of His first disciples.
Jesus uses boats, water, and fish to preach the good news of the kingdom of God (4:43). These were things the people were familiar with. The land of Israel is between the Mediterranean Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and the Jordan River. Being a fisherman was a job for many people. Boats, water, and fish were everyday parts of life.
We’re familiar with these images as well. There’s water all around. You’re sitting about six blocks away from Lake Michigan. Shorewood’s geographic location is between this giant lake and the Milwaukee River. Most of you have gone fishing or seen someone fishing before. You know about boats, water, and fish. You’ve seen crashing waves in a storm. You know about the darkness of deep water. So this image of Jesus to tell about His Kingdom continues to illustrate the work of the church and her pastors.
The Psalms speak to us about water as well: Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me (Ps 69:1-2). These words of David portray the biblical imagery of the depths of the sea as disorder, evil, and death. David continues his prayer, showing the depths to be his own sin and unrighteousness. He looks to the Lord to be a deliverer, to save him from sinking in the depths of sin and the enemies of God and His people: But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the water flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me (Ps 69:13-15).
Whether we feel like it or not, the storms of this life are filled with temptations pulling us down. Our journey through life on earth is like swimming through a tumultuous sea. The wind and waves of the storms of life threaten to pull us under and drown us. Temptations and troubles come at us from all sides and constantly. We can’t keep our head above water for long. The currents of our society and media sweep along, encouraging us to give into the temptations of the world and our sinful flesh. But Christ is our deliverer to save us from the deep waters, to keep us from being swallowed up by evil.
“Because Christ is present in the boat, it becomes a symbol of the church” (Maximus of Turin). The church building is often seen as the image of a boat. The place where you’re sitting is called the Nave, from the Latin word for ship. Christ is often called the Anchor. Christians weather the dangerous storms, winds, and waves of the temptations and trials of life through the safety of the boat that is the church. Yet, we are not saved merely by being part of an organization. While helpful for record keeping, being in the church roles or pictorial directory won’t amount to anything when our last hour comes. We are saved in the church because it is the body of Christ Himself. The church is what it is because Christ is who He is – God in the flesh, coming to deliver His people from the depths. We, the church, are the body of Christ, and so we pray: Keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power (Collect). We are the fish. The nets are the preaching of the Gospel that brings us and keeps us in the true faith in the boat of the church. That’s why Christ still calls pastors today so that through the Gospel in Preaching and the Sacraments, people are drawn to and kept in this saving boat.
Peter and his colleagues worked hard, but caught nothing. But at the word of Jesus, a miracle happens. Peter immediately recognizes the power of Jesus’ word. He knows there were no fish to be caught there – he just finished his fishing and caught nothing. At Jesus’ word, there’s more fish than they could ever have imagined. The nets are full. They call in the other boat. Both boats are overflowing. They went from no fish to an abundance of fish. All at Jesus word: Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.
Peter is afraid and astonished. He recognizes Jesus’ miracle. But Jesus assures him: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. Now, Peter will be a disciple of Jesus, called into the apostolic office to preach the Gospel of Christ. Yet, Peter knows that it is not his hard effort that will do the work. When Peter tried to catch fish on his own that night, it didn’t work. The fruits of the labors of his work will be accomplished by Christ and His Gospel. When Jesus spoke to put down the nets, then there was a great result.
New souls are brought into the church through the Preaching of the Gospel.
The church is sustained and grows by the Word of Christ, who works His miraculous catch when and where He wills to. The fishermen let down the nets – the Gospel – trusting that Our Lord knows best what He’s doing.
Just as Christ told the disciples to let down the nets into the depths, so Christ let Himself down into the depths of sin. He endured the waves of God’s wrath, the waves of temptation, the waves of human troubles. He sunk into the deep mire and deep waters where the floods overflow. From the wrath, temptations, and troubles of the cross He was not delivered. But Jesus uses this flood to give new life. The waters of the first flood killed many, but saved Noah and His family. The waters of the Red Sea killed the pursuing Egyptians, but saved God’s people.
The waters of Holy Baptism kill the old Adam, but bring you to new life in Christ. This is primary way that God brings people into His church. Baptism is a flood that both kills and makes alive, a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin. The baptismal liturgy captures the imagery of the church as a saving ship in the storms of life as it directs us to pray: Grant that he be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, he would be declared worthy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 269). Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
posted by Luther Memorial Chapel at
3/17/2007
