It has been called by many names: Chinnereth (Num. 34:11), Lake of Gannesaret (Luke 5:1), Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1) and most commonly to us, the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 4:18). Measuring 13 miles north to south and 7.5 miles east to west, it is not sea size. With an area of 64 square miles, it is much smaller than the 730 square miles of Lake Okeechobee. What is so special about this lake? It was a central silent figure in the early ministry of Jesus. We will begin a series of lessons that highlight four major events that took place on this jewel in the desert.
Jesus left Nazareth and began His Galilean ministry. Matthew reminds us of the prophecy from Isaiah, “…Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (Matt. 4:13-16; Isa. 9:1-2). Jesus began living in Capernaum of Galilee. He taught and did many miracles in the area. Early in His time there, we have the second calling of four fishermen. John records that these men had been called in Bethany and were with Jesus even at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee (John 1:35-2:2). We do not know the circumstances as to why they went back to fishing. We know that they did the same thing after Jesus’ death (John 21:3). The events of this rabbinical style calling are recorded in Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20 and Luke 5:1-11.
Matthew and Mark give us a very abbreviated version of the event. The disciples were on the shore of the lake mending their nets. Jesus asked to use one of the boats to teach from. The crowd was pressing Him and the water provided natural amplification. After the lesson Jesus, instructs Simon to launch into the deep water and let down the net for a catch. Simon Peter let Jesus, not a fisherman, know that they have fished all night, the best fishing time, and caught nothing. However, because of who Jesus is, Peter obeys. Peter makes one of the biggest catches in his life. The net begins to break and James and John were called over in their boat, and the catch was so large that both boats began to sink with the load of fish. They were overtaken with amazement and Peter threw himself at Jesus’s feet and essentially said what Isaiah had said, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Isa 6:5; Luke 5:8). This is when Jesus calls them into the rabbinical styled relationship as their teacher, “I will make you to become fishers of men” (Luke 5:11).
All three accounts tell us that they leave everything (boat, nets, father and fish) and follow Jesus. Accepting this relationship was an honor and it meant that they would accept His teaching and interpretation of the law. When we chose to follow Jesus, we did the same thing. We left the old man of sin (Rom. 6:6) to follow His word (John 12:48). We must deny self, take the cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24).