“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.” Luke 5:1-3
It’s not unlike Jesus to think of everything. On this day, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, where the people were “listening to the word of God.” He was holding an informal teaching session with them.
But the crowds were too large, and so he saw two boats, one belonging to Simon, whom he had already recruited as a disciple in Matthew 4. Some scholars view this event as a second encounter with Simon Peter, while others see it as the same event. Regardless, this moment is part of the broader story of Peter’s call. Jesus meets Simon Peter again and this time asks him to use his boat as a platform for teaching.
Jesus was accomplishing several things at once: 1) finding a convenient place from which to teach the people, and 2) drawing in Simon and Andrew as disciples by using their boat (and later, taking them fishing!).
Jesus was not only concerned with teaching the crowds and saving the masses; he was intentional about gathering close disciples whom he could trust, befriend, and recruit to become fishers of men (all people).
It’s remarkable that God would include any of us in his plan to save humanity. Did he really need to befriend Simon and Andrew? Did he need help? Couldn’t the Lord have snapped his fingers to make us all his followers? But this is not how God works. There is a progression to his inclusion. He gathers people to himself by involving them in his work. We are invited to join God in his divine mission to save the world from sin and darkness and welcome them into the light.
Further along in Luke 5, we will see how Jesus amazes these fishermen with a miraculous catch of fish. But for now, we watch as Jesus begins to “catch” these two future disciples by involving them in his work. And what a wonderful work it will be.
“O Lord God, I praise you for your goodness and your grace. Thank you for allowing me to find my strength and hope in you. When I am weary, you draw me in. When I am tempted to sin, you provide a way out. When I doubt my call, you confirm your plan for me. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your love. I love you and glorify your name, for you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen