The Leadership Style of Jesus (Luke 5:1-11)

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (Luke 5:1-3 NIV)

Sound systems hadn't been invented yet.  Electricity hadn't been discovered yet. When a large crowd wanted to hear what you had to say, you had better hope there is a Greek amphitheater somewhere nearby.  Jesus, however, recognized his Father's sound system and took advantage of it this day.

Pushing out from the shore made it easier for Jesus to talk to the crowd.  First of all, they would all pack around the shore line, but not close in on him too much.  Secondly, water does a wonderful job of helping sound skim across the top of its reflective surface.  By pushing out from the shore on a boat, Jesus took advantage of a God-made amphitheater.  Now he can teach as he was sent to do.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:4-11 NIV)

I'm confident that his teaching was powerful.  The teaching, however, wasn't the deal-maker that brought Peter, James, and John on board as followers of Jesus.  These were pragmatic men who needed to know that Jesus' teachings would make a real difference in their lives.  They were fishermen.  They understood fish.  So, Jesus spoke to them in their language.  He gave them fish - lot of them.  Then they didn't need to worry about going to work later that night.  Instead, they could simply clean up their catch and sell what they've caught.  Jesus had authority even over the fish!  This was someone worth following.

Jesus continued his lesson to Peter, James, and John by telling them they would "fish for people."  Once again, he spoke to them in a language that made perfect sense.  They knew how to fish for, well, fish.  They didn't know how to fish for people.  Apparently this was going to be more important than fishing for fish.  Besides, Jesus already demonstrated to them that they could get fish whenever they needed them.  They didn't even need to worry about their livelihood.  So, they dropped everything and followed Jesus.

How about you?  How would Jesus get your attention?  What would be the deal-maker for you?  Do you still worry about things like money and career? Are you willing to hold those things with an open hand and trust Jesus to teach you what is most important?  Would you drop everything to follow Jesus?