When Jesus Calls You
Luke 5:1-11

I have had some interesting phone calls through the years. Prank phone calls annoy me for two reasons: one, because they are usually offensive and, two, because they wake me up in the middle of the night. I receive at least one wrong number each week. Telemarketers are too insistent. I got a call the other day from a friend asking me to be a mediator in a family dispute. Answering the phone can be like opening Pandora’s box.

While going about his daily routine, Simon Peter received a call. But it was not from a telemarketer or a wrong number. This call transformed his life. Jesus Christ was on the line, or in this case, in the other end of the boat. Jesus’ call to Peter changed his life.

What was it about Jesus that made such a change in Peter? What was so compelling about the call of Jesus that Peter was brought to his knees in a sinking boat?

After Peter became Jesus’ disciple, he was led to distant lands and challenging experiences. What about you and me? Does answering the call of Jesus mean that we will end up in a mud hut in Africa or trekking across frozen tundra in Canada? It depends. It depends on God’s sovereign plan for our lives. Not all disciples are called to cross national boundaries. We are all called, however, to follow Jesus. What happens when the call of Jesus comes to you and me? In our text today, let us notice some realities about the call of Jesus.

I. Jesus’ call eludes our logic. (vv. 4-5)

The call of God eludes human logic. When God called Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, he protested that he was not a good public speaker. He based his response on human reasoning. Yet we all know that God used Moses in a mighty way.

Then there’s Jeremiah. When God called him to be a prophet, he told God he was too young. Logic called for an older, more experienced person. However, God knew what he was doing in calling this sensitive young man.

In our text, Jesus told Simon Peter to launch out into deep water to fish. Peter and his companions had fished all night and caught nothing. It did not make sense to go back out and fish again. We are often like Peter. When Jesus calls us, we reason that it doesn’t make sense in the present situation.

II. Jesus’ call exceeds our expectations. (vv. 6-7)

Peter was astounded by the huge catch of fish. He signalled for his partners in the other boat to come and help. As they drew their nets on board, both boats began to sink under the extra weight. What a difference obedience to the call of Jesus made!

It is the same for disciples today. Henry Blackaby was pastor of a small church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Who would have dreamed that obedience to the call of Jesus in that place would touch the far corners of the earth? The experience in Saskatoon was later recorded in the book Experiencing God which has been translated into many languages and has sold several million copies. The call of Jesus exceeds our expectations.

III. Jesus’ call exposes our sinfulness. (vv. 8-9)

Rather than attempting to bale water out of the boat, Peter fell prostrate at the feet of Jesus. Why? Peter realized he was in the presence of a holy, all-powerful being. Peter felt small and sinful. He felt unworthy to be in the same boat with Jesus.

The call of Jesus exposes our sinfulness. When confronted with the holy, all-powerful presence of Jesus, we sink to our knees. Pride and self sufficiency flee at His voice.

IV. Jesus’ call elevates our priorities. (vv. 10-11)

This text states that Simon Peter and his companions left everything and followed Jesus. Their priorities had been elevated to a new level. Jesus had called them to a new perspective with a new agenda.

Fishing as a vocation is neither morally nor spiritually wrong. However, the call of Jesus elevates our priorities. With Jesus, one’s vocation is viewed from a higher perspective. We leave behind our former way of valuing things. We take on Jesus’ priorities when we choose to follow him.

Is Jesus calling you? Is he asking you to launch into deep water? His call may not make sense in your present situation. But his call will exceed your expectations. The holy, all-powerful presence of Jesus is here today. He calls you to a new perspective with a new agenda. Will you take the call right now?

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Sermon brief provided by Mike McGough, Director of Student Affairs and Professor of Preaching & Pastoral Ministries, Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.