February 04, 2007
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The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church Text: Luke 5:1-11 Epiphany 5 When Jesus Intervenes The last time I preached on this Bible story, I used a very special pulpit. It was in June, one and a half years ago. We had Sunday Service in the open air, at a lake back in Norway. Just like the Master himself, I used a boat at the shore as a pulpit that Sunday, while the congregation was sitting on the dry land. We had a good crowd. I recall it as a very beautiful memory. In connection to the service, we served a meal of fresh fish, bread and salad. We had caught the fish ourselves, some days before. Saying "we", I mean our new Men’s Mission Group. This Men’s Mission Group has grown bigger and bigger. All the time new members, wanting to join in, are being welcomed. Not a surprise, because there is a very nice fellowship in the group. The meetings always start with a good meal, before the Bible study. The group supports a project among the Bara tribe in Madagascar. That is why the Men’s Mission Group is called "Barabassene". Usually the group meets in homes, but often they go on trips, to the sea or somewhere else. This time we had our meeting at the shore, some days before the Sunday service. After the Bible study that light summer night, we put the net into the lake. One of the members of the Men’s Group is a land owner, so we were privileged to be able to fish by using a net! It is very exciting to fish just in that lake, because the fish to a very high extent gather in swarms. (Perhaps it is the same case in the Lake of Gennesaret). Which means that either there is nearly no result of the fishing, or it can be a huge catch. And really, we were lucky that night: We got as many as 365 fish. A number that is easy to remember. We cleaned the fish and prepared it to be served in connection to the Sunday service. As far as I can remember, all the fish were consumed, since there was a good crowd at the service. Sometimes we can feel an extra blessing. It was special to get that big catch that night, and then serve it on Sunday. People that came to the service, both got a spiritual meal, and they also could go home with their stomachs satisfied. What happened, especially as we also celebrated Holy communion on the shore, it resembled very much what we heard here in this Bible story from the Lake of Gennesaret. The Master himself was really present, by his body and blood. I think Peter and the others felt an extra blessing that morning. A wonderful and deep joy with the huge catch. And so unexpected! In contradiction to logic and experience. The fishermen at the Sea of Galilee had experienced and been taught for generations that the fish does not stay out in the deep water, but near the shallow banks. And the fishing is supposed to happen at night, so that the fish don’t get scared by the boats and the nets. So as they had struggled the whole night, and got nothing, it was against logic that they could get anything in the brightness of the day out in deep water. The thought might have struck them: What does this carpenter Jesus from Nazareth know about fishing? In the morning, as they came to the shore, tired after a night of struggle, he was standing there. He preached to the crowd, using Peter’s boat as his pulpit. After the service, he asked them to go out to the deep water. I can imagine that they smiled a bit. Not least Thomas, who was known as a skeptical person. But I think also Peter felt a bit skeptical. Just listen: Master, we have worked all night long, but have caught nothing, Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets. Listen carefully to that sentence, Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets. It is obvious that Peter means something like: "Now you are responsible, Jesus, this is not my idea.." But when the big catch becomes reality, Peter falls down on his knees. He imagines a holy presence in connection to the unexpected catch. Facing Jesus, he feels like a sinner. Go away from me, Lord. Why does he say that? Does he really mean what he says? Does he want Jesus to leave them? Of course not. But the fisherman saw the huge contrast between his own sin and lack of faith on the one hand, and the God of miracles on the other. To face The Holy One was too strong for him. That is the same thing we heard about in the first text, when Isaiah was called to be a prophet. He saw heavenly beings, and he could feel the earth quake. He exclaimed: Woe is me! I am lost. And he confessed his sins. But God cleansed his sins away and got him to stand on his feet again. It was something similar with Peter. It was not Jesus that named him a big sinner, but rather the contrary: He used Peter’s boat as a pulpit. Which shows that he accepted Peter. Used his resources. Gave him tasks to do. Called him to serve him. So Jesus came and mingled in the daily life of the fishermen. He performed a miracle in their lives. And after that he challenged them to follow him: Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching people. It is the same today. As we share the word of God, Jesus comes and stays with us, as he has promised. He comes here and mingles in our lives. Then surprising and exciting things happen. Jesus is interested in you and how you are doing. Perhaps you are tired and resigned, as were the fishermen after the useless struggle in the night. Jesus knows your thoughts. He listens to your questions. He meets you exactly where you are in your life now. He can see your resources, and he encourages you. Do not be afraid! Peace be with you. If you feel that your resources are few, know that he can use them. His power is fulfilled in our weakness. The precious treasure is placed in frail clay. And he challenges you: Follow me. From now on you will be catching people. The net of God’s kingdom has to be used once again. Fishers of men are needed in every new generation. Everywhere, here in the US, in Norway and in the whole world. Here I am, send me, Isaiah answered when he was called. Because people were obedient to God’s calling, and they were sent to you and me, we were lucky to hear the gospel. We could experience Christianity as lived life. So it is up to each one of us to let our great Master, the God of Miracles, use us. When Jesus comes and mingles in peoples lives, unexpected things happen. But there needs to be somebody who says yes, and lets him work. Then lives are being changed. Then great things happen. Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one true God now and forever. Amen |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |