When the Ordinary becomes Extraordinary

Summary

In today’s Gospel, Luke lays the scene of a very ordinary day. Jesus, one of many teachers and healers of the day, was by the lake addressing a crowd, something he had been doing for some time as he began his ministry in the Capernaum area (since he had left Nazareth after being chased to the cliff’s edge by his hometown folks).

Near Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee. Outside — not in a temple or majestic building, but by the sea – with no doubt a breeze smelling of fish. It was a simple part of the region, primarily Gentiles – far from the aristocrats and power of Jerusalem, and its social elites, religious scribes, Roman domination, and legislative power.

Peter and James and John, and all the crew – were ordinary fishers. Doing the mundane task of washing their fishing nets. After a regular night’s work, that had resulted in no fish.

This hardly seems the chosen setting for the important task that was to unfold — that of Jesus calling His first disciples. Matthew and Mark, in their accounts of the disciples’ calling, similarly record Jesus simply preaching to a crowd. None of the 3 Gospels even mention what was Jesus was preaching about – this is about Jesus calling his first disciples.

These first disciples who would be around him, learning from him, following him on the intense journey that would unfold while Jesus was on earth, through thick and thin, leading to the highs of the crowds of Palm Sunday, to the Cross, and then the wonderment of experiencing Jesus on earth after his resurrection. For this most important event in Jesus’ ministry, there was no parade, no press conference, as would be the case today as a Prime Minister or President announcing a Cabinet member. This crucial point in Jesus’ ministry happened to ordinary people in ordinary lives in an ordinary place.

Perhaps, the ordinariness should not be a surprise. Jesus was born in a manger in lowly Nazareth, he hung out with lepers, tax collectors, and women, Samartians and Pharisees alike (by the well, being stoned to death, and having his feet washed). Jesus was constantly turning things upside down. Perhaps this should be the expected, rather than the unexpected.  

It would be easy to read this text as simply a historical narrative, with a predetermined outcome that Peter and the others would, of course, follow Jesus’ call. How wonderful that somehow these fishers by the sea knew their destiny,– some kind of 6^th sense or God-given proof that they had been called to have this special place in history. Maybe even x-ray vision like a superhero.

Yet, Peter questioned Jesus in the boat. And Scripture reveals to us that even after becoming the 12 – over and over again they had doubts, their struggles to understand. Was Jesus THE one? There were other prophets, preachers, healers also purporting to be THE one. What was Jesus talking about? The first disciples often struggled with Jesus’ parables, seeing him in action, or talking about his imminent death. We read in John 16, Jesus says: “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16). What does he mean, the disciples wondered in befuddlement? Peter, himself, the Rock, promised he would never deny Jesus, yet soon thereafter the cock crowed 3 times. And so on, and so on.

So, these first disciples whom Jesus called were ordinary. No x-ray vision. Not merely historic, icons to be put on pedestals. They were ordinary people living ordinary lives. Struggling with ordinary doubts, thoughts and experiences.

Which, to me, being reminded that Peter was ordinary, makes this Scripture even more remarkable. When Jesus just hops in Peter’s row and, without even asking, and says, Peter row, why didn’t Peter say something? Something like, Hey, what’s the big idea? Get out of my boat. Did Peter even know who this Jesus was – most scholars conclude that Peter might have met him and least once or twice and he called Jesus Teacher, but, still a bit presumptive to just get in someone’s boat and tell them to row.

Peter also, rather than a direct “no” to Jesus, might have had a more subtle approach. Peter had a boatload (sorry about the pun) of reasons to politely turn down Jesus. My boat is too ordinary – it is but a simple fishing boat — check with the guy down the shore. He has a motor, or further down there’s a guy with a yacht – now that would look cool. Or Peter could have said, there are faster rowers than me — I just got back without a single fish last night. Besides – these other guys here — I can’t impose on the rest of the crew – they are exhausted and still have to finish washing nets. Then we have to walk home, and get some sleep. We must be responsible and be ready for this evening’s work. You can find a far better boat, a far better rower than me. It is just too much of an inconvenience today.   I promise absolutely I will help next time. Next time you can definitely count on me. I’m sure you understand.

 

No. That’s not what Peter did (5:1-3). Peter rowed, Jesus preached from an ordinary boat. And what happened then? Then, Jesus had the audacity to take more of Peter’s time and tell Peter to row further into the sea and throw out the nets. Again, Peter would have had plenty of reasons to say no to Jesus. Okay, this was an inconvenience for me to row my boat for you, but that is one thing. Now what you are asking is illogical. Our colleagues will laugh at this embarrassing attempt. They will be convinced we don’t know what we are doing. Jesus, you are a carpenter. You are not a fisherman – can’t you see the nets (trammel nets) we use are made for night fishing? We caught nothing last night and we are tired. We’re just trying to make a living.

Yet, Peter and the crew followed Jesus’ words.

Peter replied, it didn’t work last. But if you say so. First an inconvenience and then the illogical. And, yet, Peter hung in there. Jesus was building trust.

And, then an extraordinary thing happened. Yes, they caught nets full of fish (which neither Mark or Matthew record), but more even more amazingly, we read that “they left everything to follow Jesus.” (v. 11) A lifechanger. The inconvenience of a boat ride, to the illogical of putting out nets to a life changer. Peter – and likely James and John — became Jesus’ fishers of people.  

Trust-filled faith came about that ordinary day. Jesus made that ordinary day extraordinary. Jesus called ordinary fishers in the middle of ordinary lives to trust that extraordinary things would happen. As mentioned, Peter had started the day calling Jesus, teacher/master (epistates). Yet, after the nets are filled, Peter says kyrios — Lord.   A life changer. The extraordinary unfolded through trust, a trust that came from faith enough to follow, to say yes to being a disciple.

How do we get from ordinary to extraordinary in our everyday lives in the 21^st century? First of all, Rowan Williams, in his book, “Being Disciples” reminds us that, yes, we as Christians are all disciples and are commanded to accept this responsibility of discipleship. No, we are not the first disciples, we are not the 12 who walked and talked with Jesus during his human life on earth. But we must embrace that they were as human as we are. As such, Jesus requires the same awareness, expectation of us as disciples today. To make this solely an historical event story is miss its message for our lives today. To inspire us to be aware what opportunities lie in inconveniences. To not back away from the illogical. Have trust in a life changer. To open ourselves to being part of God’s ability to make the ordinary extraordinary.  

 

And when inconveniences come up that delay our own mundane tasks of the day, do we sometimes grumble? Of course! When facing an illogical choice that may seem embarrassing, do we question? Of course! The important thing is to stay in conversation with God. Peter both shared his doubt and his trust. Jesus, we tried this last night, but if you say so…..

Peter talked to God, and then threw the nets over in trust, in faith. And, did Jesus deny Peter because he was imperfect? No. Did Jesus say, “You are right, Peter, go fix yourself and then get back to me. Get a bigger boat, improve your rowing skills. And, certainly, remember not to question my fishing advice. No, contrarily, Jesus commissions Peter to be a fisher of people – to go out and share the Word, make disciples, help those who are hurting! Trust me!

 

And, so too, Jesus takes us as we are. Like Peter – ordinary, imperfect. Yet, called to be disciples. With all of our imperfections, by grace through faith we are saved. We have the gift of Scripture, of post-resurrection assurance that, indeed, Jesus is THE one.   The assurance offers us the path to a faith to, a trust to row when Jesus steps in our boat, to throw our nets out at the oddest times. And, like Peter, to follow Jesus as our teacher AND Lord.

 

The Lord knows we are not perfect. The Lord does not wait for us to become perfect. God calls us each and every day. God commands us to let God in our lives even when it’s inconvenient.   To have faith in the seemingly illogical or embarrassing. Have faith, trust in me, God calls us, commands us to just row. And who knows, today there just might be something seemingly ordinary that becomes extraordinary!  

Amen.

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