Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

If I have written similar thoughts on this precious gospel account, forgive me. But as I wrote to a friend earlier this very week, I have a hard time reading this account. Because by its end I am usually overcome by a couple things. First, like Peter, I am a sinful man. And when I read this account I imagine myself not even being able to lift my eyes to the Savior’s face. And second I realize that our Savior stands before us and with us while knowing the very worst about us all.

Peter, a master fisherman, has worked all night. He’s filthy, tired, and most likely smells as fisherman often do because of their environment, catch or no catch. And he honestly questions the request of his own master. Perhaps the most critical text of the entire Bible are the words he expresses in his fatigue: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets” (v. 5, emphasis mine). There it is. The only response to encountering the Word of God on any and every subject raised. Jesus’ own dear mother got it right as well when, at his first miracle at the wedding in Cana, she quipped to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

So. Who knows best? There’s no doubt Peter knew what he was doing on a fishing expedition. But Jesus wanted more. Not more fish. But more for and from Peter. And because Jesus knows best, with challenge and compassion, through days and years Jesus got his way. For Peter’s best and for ours.

Jesus always knows best.