Luke 5:1-11: Here am I! Send Me!

Read: Luke 5:1-11

Virtually everywhere Jesus went, people wanted to here the word of God because this word had the power to heal the sick and command demons (Luke 4:36. Luke 4:39). This also made Jesus’ fame spread throughout the region of Galilee. Undoubtedly, all that lived in that area had heard of Jesus by now and the wonders he performed. When Jesus came to the edge of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Lake of Gennesaret he met fishermen who were mending their nets after a long night of fishing. Jesus told them to put down their nets again, and they agreed to do so at his word. When they did, they caught so many fish they couldn’t contain them and had to call for help. His gospel was one to call people to repentance.

Peter’s response to Jesus is one of awe and wonder, and in doing so he comes face to face with his sin. He asks Jesus to leave his presence because he immediately recognizes that Jesus is the Holy One of God. Peter’s response was not unlike Isaiah’s response when he encountered God (Isaiah 6:1-8). Isaiah saw God seated on a throne, exalted. The mere sight seeing God was enough overwhelm someone to the point of death (Exodus 33:20). God cleansed Isaiah and made him his messenger to proclaim the word of God. In much the same manner, Jesus did this with Peter. He tells him from that point on that he would “catch men” – a reference to his new occupation as a disciple and apostle of Jesus. At this, James and John along with Peter left everything and followed Jesus.

God’s word is powerful indeed in how it transforms lives. Romans 10:11-15 outlines this process: faith comes by hearing the word. In order for this to happen they have to have the word preached to them, which means that some one has to be sent. Paul saw himself as one of these “sent ones” (Romans 1:1, Romans 11:13), the literal translation of the Greek word “apostolos” from where the word apostle comes from. While there was a special office of capital “A” Apostles in the New Testament which included the original 12 (Mark 10:2-4), Mathias who replaced Judas (Acts 1:26), and lastly Paul, there were little “a” apostles that were also “sent ones” who were sent out to proclaimed the gospel (Romans 16:7, Philippians 2:25, 2 Corinthians 8:23). In the modern vernacular, little “a” apostles would be called missionaries – ones who are sent out from a church to preach the gospel to that others may hear the word of God and believe. One of the main missions of the church as a whole is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The natural response to salvation is obedience, as Isaiah and Peter did – they left everything to follow God’s commands. This applies to every believer. But from among the church, God calls some out to be special envoys to be his “sent ones” to take the gospel to places and preach to those who have never heard the name of Jesus so those that have not heard can hear, believe, and proclaim themselves. Whether one is a sender or a sent one, it requires both to accomplish the task the God has set before the church to make disciples. Everyone therefore should be involved in whatever role he or she is in.

Lord, here am I! Send Me!