Jesus calls his disciples Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

I wrote these reflections sitting in Perth Airport awaiting a flight back to Adelaide, after having spent two days working with colleagues in our Western Australian Schools exploring Pathways: Vocational Focus. During our time together, we talked a lot about our calling to serve in Lutheran Schools.

As you could imagine, it was unbelievable to open up the lectionary readings file, only to discover that the reading for next Sunday was this account of Jesus calling His first disciples.

Lots of  thoughts come to mind for me as this story unfolds.

• Firstly the observation that although very early in his ministry the crowds were already following him.
• Simon (Peter) presumably having not associated with Jesus until now, spontaneously calls Jesus Master in their first dialogue.
• What happened to the catch? (it would surely have been enough to set them up for a long time)
• What about the families of the disciples?

My thoughts were also drawn to the remarkably similar post-resurrection story in John 21. (If you get a chance it is well worth looking at this in parallel with the Luke account.)

Eventually however, I was channeled more into metaphorical thinking, especially given the coincidental circumstances described in my opening comments.

Luther would say that we have all been “called to our station”. As we “sit” at our stations (as key people in Lutheran Schools) – how much do we see our calling as one to connect people to Jesus?

Somehow I think of myself as not having been able to walk away from that spectacular catch of fish without having stuffed as much of it as possible into anything that could be used to carry it along with me. Perhaps one foot surfing along in the world, the other in the fishing boat?

May we all be challenged by this reading, to reflect on our calling to serve the Master. If that means throwing the net into unlikely territory, Lord – give us the courage to do that.

Nev