April 20, 2023

Today's Reading: Luke 5:17-39

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 25:1-22, Luke 5:17-39

Quotation for the Reflection (citation)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! The church, at all times, has longed to have new members joining the Body of Christ.  Who doesn’t love to see the church grow?  It used to be that the church would evangelize through works of mercy and care for anyone in need.  Today it seems as if we look for church members who won’t cause problems, messy people, people who will volunteer more or even give more money.  Jesus tells His disciples to “let down your nets for a catch” today. This image of Jesus is a familiar one to us.  The disciples have tried fishing all night with no results. Jesus tells them to drop the nets in the heat of the day, and there is the miraculous fish catch. This imagery is given to us about the disciples who would become “fishers of men” for the church.  However, Jesus doesn’t fish for specific fish.  He is not going over largemouth bass or walleye. He’s not going for catfish; He wants them all. Jesus doesn’t use a pole with line and bait; He uses a net.  A net is something that brings everything together at once.  Big fish, little fish, dying fish and newborn fish, predator fish, and prey fish, the list goes on and on.  Watch a YouTube video of fishermen using nets in the sea.  When the net comes up from the water, there is a massive variety of fish and creatures. The fishermen begin to sort out the fishing. Keep only what is good and throw out what is bad.

What we hear of in the miraculous fish catch today is the perfect picture of Jesus’ church. Jesus does not mention what kind of fish He is looking for; none are to be cast aside. This seems crazy to us in the church.  It might even seem irresponsible, uncomfortable, or even inconvenient for whom we want to see in the church. This is the initial call of the church. To seek and welcome the lost, the last, and the losers of life so that they might be redeemed and restored by Jesus just like us.  But it's not enough to dump the net on the floor. Jesus also calls us to show mercy and love to all who enter His church's doors.  This might seem daunting; it might seem uncomfortable or awkward, but remember that He has also sought you out. His blood has redeemed you.  Blood that washes away your sins and pulses through your veins as you receive Him in the Holy Eucharist. Blood that strengthens you to welcome anyone caught up in the net of Jesus placed before HIs church. Christ is risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Grant, then, O God, Your will be done, That, when the church bells are ringing, Many in saving faith may come  Where Christ His message is brining: “I know My own, My own know Me. You, not the world, My face shall see. My peace I leave with you.  Amen.”  LSB 645 vs. 5

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.