“Called From The Boat Pulpit!”

“Called From The Boat Pulpit!”(Lk.5:1-11).
In his early days, the Lord Jesus Christ had already gained popularity as a Lakeside or Waterfront preacher, and “people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.” Jesus understood that effective leadership is about building a team to whom you sell your vision so that there is continuity when you quit the stage. No one can do it alone. Unfortunately, since from the time of the early church, some teams that are built for the very reason for which Jesus came are more of cabals than apostles chosen to make disciples.
According to Luke, Jesus called the first disciples/apostles when he made their boat his pulpit and the lake his sanctuary while the waterfront was his congregation.
We do not make disciples in the sitting congregation. Within the congregation, we teach gospel doctrines that grow the faith. Disciples are made outside the congregations and can be taught there as well.
Jesus “sat down and taught the people from the boat.”
Full-time ministry does not deprive ministers of extracurricular activities. That explains why after Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
They had worked all night without any catch, but they obeyed the Master. They believed in him. They, too, had listened to his teaching.
They cast their nets and “caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled 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.”
It dawned on Simon Peter that it was the Lord, and he was a sinner not worthy of the Lord.
And here comes the core message from Jesus to Simon: “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
From the large catch of fish we can be tempted to emphasise from this text that obedience to Christ meets our needs. Yes, it does, but not from this text. If you ask me why, the answer is in the last verse: “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” When they did so, Jesus did not tell them to go sell their fish first etc!
It was a practical lesson to teach them that courage is needed for the work of evangelism. Lost souls are not found in shallow waters (our comfort zones)! Lost souls are in the deeps( places of criminality and lawlessness, and where we have to speak truth to power at the risk of our lives)! The mission is truly a risky and dangerous one, but then the Lord Jesus Christ assures, “Don’t be afraid…!”
My friend, the call from the boat pulpit, compels us to follow Christ without considering even the benefits we gave received from him.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, prompt me daily not to hesitate in doing the Master’s bidding. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
22/01/2026.