Luke 5
As we continue exploring the Gospel of Luke, we come to a critical moment in Jesus' ministry that raises an essential question: Is Jesus just a good teacher, or is He something much more? This question, which we’ll see unfold in today’s passage from Luke 5, is one that each of us must eventually grapple with.
To set the stage, let’s briefly recap where we’ve been. A few weeks ago, we discussed John the Baptist, the forerunner who was foretold to prepare the way for God’s long-awaited Savior. We saw how Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, crossed paths with John, leading to the first disciples starting to follow Him. Men like Andrew, Simon-Peter, and Philip were among those who were drawn to Jesus, intrigued by His authority and teaching.
In last week’s passage, we saw Jesus return to His hometown, only to be rejected by the very people who had known Him all His life. The claims He made about Himself were too much for them to accept, and their disbelief turned to outright hostility. But when Jesus moved on to Capernaum, the reception was entirely different. The people there were amazed by His teaching and the authority He demonstrated, and they witnessed firsthand the miraculous power of Jesus.
Now, in today’s reading from Luke 5, we find Jesus by the lakeshore, surrounded by a crowd eager to hear Him speak. Among those present is Simon-Peter, the fisherman we’ve already met. Jesus steps into Peter’s boat, teaches the crowd from the water, and then instructs Peter to put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.
Peter’s response is telling: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Notice that Peter initially refers to Jesus as “Master,” a term that could be understood as “teacher” or “rabbi.” Peter respects Jesus, but at this point, he sees Him primarily as a good teacher—someone worth listening to, but not necessarily someone to whom he owes his full allegiance.
But everything changes when the nets are suddenly filled to the breaking point with fish. Peter’s reaction to this miraculous catch is profound. He falls to his knees and uses a different word to address Jesus: “Lord.” The Greek term Kyrie—which comes from Kuros meaning “supreme in authority”—marks a significant shift in Peter’s perception of Jesus. He no longer sees Jesus as just a rabbi or teacher; he now recognizes Him as Lord, with all the authority and power that title implies.
This moment of revelation leads Peter, along with James and John, to leave everything and follow Jesus. They don’t just admire His teaching or appreciate His wisdom—they commit their lives to Him, acknowledging His supreme authority.
But this raises a question for all of us today: How do we see Jesus? Is He just a good moral teacher in our lives, someone whose teachings we admire but feel free to pick and choose from? Or is He Lord, the one with supreme authority over every aspect of our lives?
The distinction is crucial. Many people are comfortable with Jesus as a rabbi, someone who offers valuable insights on how to live a good life. But when we start to delve into His harder teachings—loving our enemies, forgiving those who hurt us, giving sacrificially even when it costs us—this is where the challenge lies. These aren’t just suggestions; if Jesus is Lord, they are commands that require our obedience.
So why should we elevate Jesus from rabbi to Lord in our lives? The answer lies in the heart of the Christian faith: Easter. The Jesus story is not just a collection of wise sayings; it’s rooted in the historical events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Despite being arrested, falsely accused, and brutally executed, Jesus did not stay in the grave. Three days later, the tomb was found empty, and His followers began to encounter the risen Jesus. This event changed everything.
The resurrection is the cornerstone of why we must see Jesus as Lord. It’s the proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the one who has authority over life and death. It’s why Peter, who took time to decide whether to follow Jesus, eventually became one of the most pivotal leaders in the early church. It’s why countless others, including the eyewitnesses that Luke meticulously interviewed, were willing to endure persecution and even death rather than deny that Jesus is Lord.
So, where do you stand? Is Jesus merely a teacher with some good ideas, or is He the Lord of your life? If the Jesus story is true—if He truly rose from the dead—then we can’t just admire Him from a distance. We are called to follow Him fully, to let His teachings shape every part of our lives, and to give Him the allegiance that only a Lord deserves.
As we continue to journey through the Gospel of Luke, consider what it would take for you to move Jesus from “rabbi” to “Lord” in your own life. Reflect on the implications of that decision and the transformation it could bring.
