Show Notes
In this sixth week of Epiphany, we read Luke 5 and reflect on following Jesus in the workplace.
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Episode Transcript
The light of Christ shines brightly, illuminating the path to salvation and guiding us in our journey of faith. The journey of faith taken by the saints of our tradition, faithful men and women is so inspiring to me. The perseverance of the saints of God matters so much for us. They help assure believers that God will sustain them to the end. Amazing men and women of faith like Joan of Arc, Ulrich Zwingli, George Whitfield, Ida B. Wells and Billy Graham remind me of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in my life, encouraging me to endure even when times are hard.
A reading from the Gospel of Luke, beginning chapter 5 verse 1.
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
In Luke 5, we find Simon Peter doing what he knows best. Fishing. It’s his trade, his livelihood, and probably the place where he feels most confident. But this particular day isn’t going well. Despite all his efforts, the nets are empty. Then Jesus shows up and tells him to try again, this time in deeper water. Peter hesitates, probably thinking, well, what does this carpenter know about fishing? But he obeys.
And the result is nothing short of miraculous. A catch so big, it nearly sinks the boats. This moment isn’t just about fish. It’s about Jesus reorienting Peter’s understanding of his work and his purpose. Now, Peter’s response is profound. He realizes that standing in front of him isn’t just a teacher, but the Lord himself.
Suddenly his work isn’t about fish anymore. It’s about following Jesus and being part of something bigger. Jesus redefines Peter’s calling, telling him from now on you will fish for people. In the same way, Jesus invites you and me to see our work through his eyes. Whether we’re in an office, a classroom, or at a job site, our work can be more than just tasks.
It can be a platform for his purposes. Jesus uses what we know, what we’re good at and transforms it into something that serves his kingdom. This passage challenges us to rethink how we approach our jobs. Are we striving in our own strength, frustrated by empty nets? Or are we letting Jesus guide us into deeper waters? When we allow him to lead, our work takes on a new purpose, not just to provide for ourselves, but to bring glory to God and serve others. Like Peter, we may feel unworthy, but Jesus doesn’t call us because we’re perfect. He calls us because he has a greater plan. And when we say yes, we’ll find that our work, like Peter’s fishing, becomes something that points to Him.
The 138th Psalm:
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
A prayer, inspired by the works of Samuel Chadwick, a prominent early 20th century Methodist minister and theologian:
Almighty God, we seek your divine guidance in our daily work. May our vocations be avenues for your service, reflecting your love and truth. Grant us the wisdom to align our tasks with your will, the strength to perform them diligently, and the grace to honor you in all that we do. Fill us with your spirit so that our labor may contribute to your kingdom and bring glory to your name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And now a reading of God’s word in the book of Isaiah chapter six, verses one through 13.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
He said, “Go and tell this people:
“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”
And he answered:
“Until the cities lie ruined
and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged,
until the Lord has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.
And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
