Title: Seaside Crusade (Luke 05:1-11)
Contents Today is Samiljeol. Japan has invaded Korea 79 times in the past 1,000 years. Among them, 1920, the 36th year of Japanese colonial rule that invaded the country due to the annexation of Korea, was the most humiliating and inhumane period of atrocities. However, Korean Christianity has made a great contribution to national ideology and national modernization during this difficult time. In particular, Ahn Chang-ho said that for the revival of the nation, knowledge and trust, which is moral capital, should be accumulated. Jesus came to this world for the revival of his people and the salvation of all mankind, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, teaching, and healing the weak and the sick. Today's text is the scene of the Holy Spirit meeting at the shore of Lake Gennesaret, preaching and teaching the gospel of the kingdom, performing miracles, and calling the 4 disciples. What were the characteristics of the beach crusade?
1. It was a holy meeting that listened to the Word and obeyed it.
(1 The name Lake Gennesaret is derived from a word meaning "harp". It is also claimed that the word comes from "prince of gardens" or "garden of abundance." Early on, Josephus called Lake Gennesaret a paradise. It is called The Gate of Paradise, The Eternal of Spring. Jesus stood on the shore of this lake and preached. People flocked so much that he got into Peter's boat, which was just anchored on the beach, and went to the beach. After asking him to float a little, he sat down on the railing of the boat and taught the Word, and when Jesus had finished speaking, unexpectedly, Jesus commanded Peter to "go out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
(2) However, Peter's position was not a brotherhood that could immediately obey Jesus' commands. He's been fishing all night long, but he hasn't caught a single fish. Not only that, it was an unsuitable time for fishing, and common sense would be foolish to cast a net deep at this time. However, Peter, who had thick bones from fishing, obeyed the words of Jesus, the carpenter in the mountains. This was truly obedience by crucifying one's own experience, reason, and judgment to listen only to the words of Jesus.
(3) Not only that, but he was actively obedient. He mobilized all his business partners and fishermen who had already lost his way in fishing and cleared the nets together, and obeyed immediately and humbly.
2. It was a crusade to discover the Lord and repent.
(1) When he obeyed the word and caught a lot of fish, Peter was very surprised. Verse 9 says, “I am amazed.” This is the Greek word "Tambos Perieixen Auton", which means "surprise surrounds him". The miracle of obedience gave them a great surprise. This surprise was the same not only for Peter, but also for all those who fished with his companions, the two sons of Zebedee. But it wasn't just a surprise, the surprise of catching double the meat.
(2) What was the surprise? The answer is found in verse 8 of the main text. Peter first called Jesus “Teacher” (verse 5). However, after experiencing this miracle, the title is changed to "Lord" (curios). Before the miracle, Jesus was just a teacher. However, after experiencing this miracle, he discovered that Jesus was “God.” In fact, "Lord" here is a title used to address God. Peter discovered the God who created all things, the master of all things, who drives the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them as he pleases. He discovered his humble appearance before this very God and confessed, "Leave me, Lord, I am a sinner."
(3) But the Lord comforted me, “Do not be afraid.” This is because he is the Savior who came into this world for the forgiveness of sins and the Lord of faith that can make us perfect. He did not come to call the righteous. He came to call and save sinners, but to forgive sins, heal diseases, fill poverty with wealth, and lead them to the place of eternal victory and happiness.
3. It was a holy meeting that received a mission and started anew.
(1) Verse 10 says, “From now on, you will take men…”. This was a new mission given to the 4 disciples. The word "taken" here is the Greek word "jogton" (a compound word of jaws and agtuo), which means "taking alive" (taking alive). He used to be a fisherman who caught and killed live fish. But now he has received the mission of being a fisher of people. Fisher of people is the mission of catching spiritually dead people and leading them to the Lord of eternal life so that they can live forever. He has entrusted them with life, spiritual work, and the most precious work to those who were engrossed in killing and decaying for a living in the past.
(2) Verse 11 says, “They left everything and followed Jesus.” Those who experienced amazing miracles and those who tasted divine grace are now led by a new mission and calling, leaving everything behind and starting to follow. They left their boats and nets, their families and loved ones behind, and left all the fish they had worked so hard to catch and followed the Lord.
(3) When we knew the true value of Christ and realized the greatness of our new mission, we were able to voluntarily let go of everything and love the Lord. After the Apostle Paul met Christ, he was able to throw away all that he was proud of as well as struggle and be good for the Lord (Philippians 3:8).
It should be an opportunity to hear the voice that Jesus Christ calls to each of us. You must obey that calling with Amen.