+ 5th Sunday after the Epiphany – February 9th, 2025 +
Series C: Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 14:12-20; Luke 5:1-11
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
Milton, WA
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A little over 500 years ago Martin Luther preached a Lenten sermon where he had this to say about the Lutheran Reformation: I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.
God’s word did everything.
The same thing is true when we turn to the Gospel reading today from Luke 5. Think of this whole story like a large body of water – say, the Puget Sound. When you first look out over the horizon of this reading, there are a number things happening, just as you would see a number of vessels out on the water standing along Ruston Way. There are the crowds. There’s Jesus sitting and teaching. There’s some tired, and empty-netted fishermen. There’s the miraculous and abundant haul of fish. There’s the confession and absolution and calling of Peter by Jesus. How does all of this happen?
Like boats traveling through the Tacoma Narrows, something is carrying all of these things along through the story of Luke 5. There’s the current. And the current that carries everything along in this story is God’s word spoken by the Word incarnate. Everything in this story depends on God’s word. For the crowds, for Peter, for the disciples, and for you…everything depends on God’s word. And everything you need is given to you at Jesus’ word. Jesus’ word does everything.
That is, after all, why the crowds gathered and pressed in on Jesus. To hear the word of God. Jesus moves from the synagogue to the seashore, but his task remains the same: teaching and preaching and proclaiming - God’s kingdom comes in him and by his word.
And just when Peter thought he could get his boat back and finish cleaning up after getting skunked on his all-nighter …Jesus speaks directly to Peter. “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Imagine this from Peter’s point of view…this would be like me walking up into the cabin of a crab boat on Deadliest Catch and telling Captain Sig Hansen where to put his crab pots. You can imagine what Peter is thinking. He’s worked all night. No fish. Just sweat. Sore body. Tired and probably a little hangry. You can hear these experienced fishermen muttering to themselves over their nets. “Who does this guy think he is, anyway? What does a rabbi and a carpenter know about fishing? Doesn’t he know it’s a waste of time fishing in the deep in midday? Doesn’t he know it’s easier to catch fish in the shallows at night when they’re biting? Yea, stay in your lane, bro.”
“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
Against his reason. His experience. And probably his feelings too. He tosses the nets out again. In that moment Peter has nothing to cling to except Jesus’ word. At your word.
Something like this happens when we approach God’s gifts. All we see is plain old water and some words…but at your word, Lord, sinners are baptized and forgiven and hauled into the boat of your church by the nets of holy Baptism. All we see is ordinary bread and wine…but at your word, Lord, you give us your body and blood for our forgiveness. All we see is another sinner standing before us…but at your word, Lord, we hear the promise…in the stead and by the command of Jesus you are forgiven all your sin.
Everything in his church, in your life, and your faith…it all depends on Jesus’ word. And the word of God does everything.
So it was for Peter and James and John that day. Before they knew it the nets were breaking. Cords snapping. The boats sinking. This is how Jesus’s word works: more than we can ask for, expect, or deserve. When the Creator comes to his creation and speaks his creative word, there’s always more. When Jesus the Word speaks his word he speaks life and grace in abundance.
But this same miracle that brings more than a boat-load of fish also brings big, tough fisherman Peter to his knees. Trembling. Crying out. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
Peter is overwhelmed. Not by the fish. But by his sinfulness. He does what each of us in our own sin and sinful flesh do: push Jesus away. Put him and his holiness at a distance. Depart from me. My sin is too ugly. Too deep. Too shameful. I am too guilty. Too unworthy.
Those might be Peter’s words and our words to Jesus…but those are not Jesus’ words to you. When it comes to fishing, Jesus doesn’t go for catch and release. He comes to catch and redeem. Peter wants Jesus to depart. Jesus doesn’t. Jesus stays. Jesus draws near to sinners. Jesus speaks his word that does everything. Do not be afraid.
But those words for Peter are also for you and me. “Do not be afraid.” Not because our sin isn’t as bad as we think. It is worse than we think, actually. But that is also the very sin which Jesus died for. That is the very sin that Jesus forgives. That is the same sin that is covered by His blood for your sake.
It all happens the same way it did for Peter. At your word, Lord. Jesus’ word does everything.
You see there’s more than one miracle in this story. Sure, the fish get all the headlines. But the miracles move from good to greatest. The fish. That’s good. Peter’s trust in Jesus’ word despite all reason and experience – that’s better. Best of all is this: what happens after Peter’s confession. Jesus doesn’t depart from sinners; he draws near to sinners to catch them dead and make them alive again. What Jesus does for Peter he does for you: he welcomes unholy sinners into his holy presence.
Jesus catches Peter and us in the nets of his Gospel and saving death and resurrection. And it’s the opposite of fishing for fish. When you fish for salmon or trout, what’s alive becomes dead. In the holy ark of the church when Jesus hauls you in by the net of Holy Baptism, he does the opposite. You were dead in the water, and now alive again by water and his word.
And it all happens the same way for you as it did for Peter that day. At your word, Lord, Ezra and Ellis are washed, forgiven, and baptized into your death and resurrection. At your word, Lord, baptism saves. At your word, Lord, we who are unworthy are declared righteous. At your word, Lord, bread and wine bring forgiveness and healing. At your word, Lord, you do not depart from me, a sinner, but draw near with pardon and grace.
It is for you as it was for Luther and for Peter, and for us all. Everything in our life, faith, and church depend on Jesus’ word. And Jesus’ word does everything.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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