Epiphany 5
Preaching
Preaching Luke's Gospel
A Narrative Approach
The first four chapters of Luke prepare the way for all that is to come. Very importantly we have heard Jesus identify himself with the vision of the prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus shall preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, and so forth. These themes dominate the portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus. The lectionary skips over Luke 4:31-44. In these verses Jesus carries out his prophetic commission by teaching with author-ity, casting out demons, and healing the sick. At the close of these verses Jesus reiterates his calling: "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also ..." (4:43).
As we enter Chapter 5 Jesus is preaching the good news and the crowds have gathered around him to hear "the word of God." Preaching the word of God is central to God's mission as portrayed in Luke-Acts. We have already learned from Luke that the word of God has the power to do what it says. The word of God is a creative word that calls into existence things that are not (Romans 4:17). Peter responds to the power of the word in Jesus' mouth through his obedience in putting out into the deep even though he and the others have fished these waters before. "At your word I will let down the nets," Peter says.
By a word Jesus calls Peter to discipleship. Peter let out the nets and caught a back-breaking abundance of fish. Peter realized that he was in the presence of someone great. He repents! "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" This is the first word we hear from Peter in Luke's Gospel. The last word we hear from Peter in Luke is his words of denial of his Lord: 22:54-62. The story of Peter's denial ends with the words: "And he went out and wept bitterly" (22:62). Repentance at the beginning. Denial at the end. We understand this first of the disciples pretty well. He is a lot like most of us!
This, of course, is not the end of the matter with Peter. He will be called forth again by the forgiving and empowering word of God in order to take his place as bold proclaimer of the gospel. The Book of Acts completes Peter's story. Peter is there at the moment of Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:6-14). More importantly he is there on the day of Pentecost to preach the vital sermon which is to explain to all who have gathered that it is Jesus, whom you have crucified, who has sent forth this that you have seen and heard (Acts 2:14-36, 33). The Acts story continues to announce to us the boldness of Peter as he leads the young church into mission.
The Peter who turns away from following Jesus to trial before the Sanhedrin in Luke speaks boldly in Jesus' name before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4-5. His willingness to go to prison and his boldness in witnessing to Jesus before threatening authorities contrast sharply with his previous denials.1
We have heard Peter's opening and closing lines in the Gospel of Luke. We have been reminded that the Book of Acts makes it clear that Peter had been filled with new power to preach boldly the name of Jesus Christ. God in Jesus Christ had to lift Peter from his knees of repentance more than once in order that Peter might be empowered for mission. Throughout Luke's Gospel we watch Peter struggle to grow into the fullness of God's call. When Jesus asks his disciples who he is, for example, it is Peter who comes closest to a right answer. Peter's answer to Jesus' question is: "The Messiah of God" (9:18-22, 20).
When Peter went with Jesus and James and John to the mountain of Transfiguration a few days after Peter's confession, however, Peter's lack of understanding is underscored (9:28-36). Peter thought they ought to build booths and stay on the mountain. Luke tells us that Peter didn't know what he was saying. When the incident was over the disciples and Peter kept quiet about the matter. The following stories (9:37-43a; 43b-48) demonstrate the lack of understanding of the disciples and Peter. These stories lay the foundation for the Travel Narrative which comes next in Luke (9:51„19:27). One of the key ingredients of the Travel Narrative is that of Jesus teaching his followers the meaning of discipleship. Peter is also in need of such learning.
The repentance and forgiveness theme which is evident throughout Luke's story has been discussed in Chapter 4. The story of Peter's call is also a story of repentance and forgiveness. We hear Peter's word of repentance: "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Jesus' word of forgiveness is the word that the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah (1:13) and Mary (1:30): Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid, Peter, there is a mission to accom-plish. God's word has the power to do what it says. God's word made a saint out of a sinner. God's word made a disciple out of Peter!
Today's story ends with a very important note. We are told that the disciples left everything and followed Jesus (5:11). This will be a very important item to remember as we move through Luke's Gospel with its deep concern with possessions. Luke sees possessions and wealth as inimical to discipleship. True disciples leave everything. This theme will come up many times. We will need to remember that the disciples have already left their pos-sessions behind. In this practice they are models of discipleship in the Lukan story.
Homiletical Directions
This week's text is about the divine call to mission centered in the story of Peter. This is truly a call we wish all in our congregation to hear and experience. The first story to tell is the story of Peter as told in this text from Luke 5:1-11. It's a story that can be told with great drama. The focus of the story might well center on the fact that Jesus calls a sinner to mission. Later in Luke 5 there is the story of a tax collector named Levi who is called to mission (5:27-32). Tax collectors and sinners are the categories of the despised in Luke's Gospel, but these are the people Jesus calls! "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance" (5:32). This story of Levi is not part of the lectionary for Cycle C so it might be helpful to include it with the story of Peter to underscore the reality that Jesus does, indeed, call sinners to mission. In the case of Peter it appears to be the power of Jesus' word, "Do not be afraid," which offers forgiveness for Peter's sins and empowerment for the exciting task of catching people for God.
Structurally speaking, it would be possible to end each of today's stories we choose to tell in our sermon with the word of Jesus: Do not be afraid. As people hear the story of Peter and Levi and hear that they, like the disciples of old, are sinners called into mission, it might be good for them to hear Jesus' word of comfort: Do not be afraid. Jesus' word addresses us yet today. Jesus' word is God's word. It does what it says!
Our suggestion is that the stories we tell in preaching today be stories that follow the life of Peter. Story Two might, therefore, be the story of Peter's confession in 9:18-22. This story is not used in this lectionary year. The point of the story is that sometimes Peter got it right. This story is followed immediately, of course, with the Transfiguration story (9:28-36; Last Sunday after the Epiphany). Here Peter and the others get it wrong. They don't understand the matter of Transfiguration. They want to camp out in glory just after Jesus has called them to a life of the cross. The stories in 9:37-43a and 9:43b-48 tell further stories of the disciples and Peter getting it wrong. Such is the way of discipleship. Some-times we get it right; sometimes wrong. Always we live under the call of Jesus: Do not be afraid.
A third story of Peter to tell is the story of Peter's denial as told in 22:54-62. This story only occurs in the lectionary as part of the long reading for the Sunday of the Passion. This is as good a time as any to tell this story of Peter's denial. The story has no happy ending. Peter is reduced to bitter tears. All who are called to mission know these moments! It is clear, however, that Jesus did not give up on Peter even in this time of denial. As Luke tells the story, Peter is alive and well preaching on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14ff) and speaks without fear to the Jewish leaders. The word of Jesus has sustained him. "Do not be afraid!" Easter has transformed him. Such is the hope of disciples in every age!
As suggested above it might be well to apply each of these stories of Peter to your own hearers as you go. The structure would be: story of Peter, word to today's disciples. Second story of Peter, word to today's disciples. Third story of Peter, word to today's disciples. It has already been suggested that Jesus' word to Peter, "Do not be afraid," might serve as the word of God which continues to empower sinners to catch people for the Kingdom of God.
____________
1.aRobert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts, Volume One (Phila-delphia: Fortress Press, 1986), p. 265.
As we enter Chapter 5 Jesus is preaching the good news and the crowds have gathered around him to hear "the word of God." Preaching the word of God is central to God's mission as portrayed in Luke-Acts. We have already learned from Luke that the word of God has the power to do what it says. The word of God is a creative word that calls into existence things that are not (Romans 4:17). Peter responds to the power of the word in Jesus' mouth through his obedience in putting out into the deep even though he and the others have fished these waters before. "At your word I will let down the nets," Peter says.
By a word Jesus calls Peter to discipleship. Peter let out the nets and caught a back-breaking abundance of fish. Peter realized that he was in the presence of someone great. He repents! "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" This is the first word we hear from Peter in Luke's Gospel. The last word we hear from Peter in Luke is his words of denial of his Lord: 22:54-62. The story of Peter's denial ends with the words: "And he went out and wept bitterly" (22:62). Repentance at the beginning. Denial at the end. We understand this first of the disciples pretty well. He is a lot like most of us!
This, of course, is not the end of the matter with Peter. He will be called forth again by the forgiving and empowering word of God in order to take his place as bold proclaimer of the gospel. The Book of Acts completes Peter's story. Peter is there at the moment of Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:6-14). More importantly he is there on the day of Pentecost to preach the vital sermon which is to explain to all who have gathered that it is Jesus, whom you have crucified, who has sent forth this that you have seen and heard (Acts 2:14-36, 33). The Acts story continues to announce to us the boldness of Peter as he leads the young church into mission.
The Peter who turns away from following Jesus to trial before the Sanhedrin in Luke speaks boldly in Jesus' name before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4-5. His willingness to go to prison and his boldness in witnessing to Jesus before threatening authorities contrast sharply with his previous denials.1
We have heard Peter's opening and closing lines in the Gospel of Luke. We have been reminded that the Book of Acts makes it clear that Peter had been filled with new power to preach boldly the name of Jesus Christ. God in Jesus Christ had to lift Peter from his knees of repentance more than once in order that Peter might be empowered for mission. Throughout Luke's Gospel we watch Peter struggle to grow into the fullness of God's call. When Jesus asks his disciples who he is, for example, it is Peter who comes closest to a right answer. Peter's answer to Jesus' question is: "The Messiah of God" (9:18-22, 20).
When Peter went with Jesus and James and John to the mountain of Transfiguration a few days after Peter's confession, however, Peter's lack of understanding is underscored (9:28-36). Peter thought they ought to build booths and stay on the mountain. Luke tells us that Peter didn't know what he was saying. When the incident was over the disciples and Peter kept quiet about the matter. The following stories (9:37-43a; 43b-48) demonstrate the lack of understanding of the disciples and Peter. These stories lay the foundation for the Travel Narrative which comes next in Luke (9:51„19:27). One of the key ingredients of the Travel Narrative is that of Jesus teaching his followers the meaning of discipleship. Peter is also in need of such learning.
The repentance and forgiveness theme which is evident throughout Luke's story has been discussed in Chapter 4. The story of Peter's call is also a story of repentance and forgiveness. We hear Peter's word of repentance: "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Jesus' word of forgiveness is the word that the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah (1:13) and Mary (1:30): Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid, Peter, there is a mission to accom-plish. God's word has the power to do what it says. God's word made a saint out of a sinner. God's word made a disciple out of Peter!
Today's story ends with a very important note. We are told that the disciples left everything and followed Jesus (5:11). This will be a very important item to remember as we move through Luke's Gospel with its deep concern with possessions. Luke sees possessions and wealth as inimical to discipleship. True disciples leave everything. This theme will come up many times. We will need to remember that the disciples have already left their pos-sessions behind. In this practice they are models of discipleship in the Lukan story.
Homiletical Directions
This week's text is about the divine call to mission centered in the story of Peter. This is truly a call we wish all in our congregation to hear and experience. The first story to tell is the story of Peter as told in this text from Luke 5:1-11. It's a story that can be told with great drama. The focus of the story might well center on the fact that Jesus calls a sinner to mission. Later in Luke 5 there is the story of a tax collector named Levi who is called to mission (5:27-32). Tax collectors and sinners are the categories of the despised in Luke's Gospel, but these are the people Jesus calls! "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance" (5:32). This story of Levi is not part of the lectionary for Cycle C so it might be helpful to include it with the story of Peter to underscore the reality that Jesus does, indeed, call sinners to mission. In the case of Peter it appears to be the power of Jesus' word, "Do not be afraid," which offers forgiveness for Peter's sins and empowerment for the exciting task of catching people for God.
Structurally speaking, it would be possible to end each of today's stories we choose to tell in our sermon with the word of Jesus: Do not be afraid. As people hear the story of Peter and Levi and hear that they, like the disciples of old, are sinners called into mission, it might be good for them to hear Jesus' word of comfort: Do not be afraid. Jesus' word addresses us yet today. Jesus' word is God's word. It does what it says!
Our suggestion is that the stories we tell in preaching today be stories that follow the life of Peter. Story Two might, therefore, be the story of Peter's confession in 9:18-22. This story is not used in this lectionary year. The point of the story is that sometimes Peter got it right. This story is followed immediately, of course, with the Transfiguration story (9:28-36; Last Sunday after the Epiphany). Here Peter and the others get it wrong. They don't understand the matter of Transfiguration. They want to camp out in glory just after Jesus has called them to a life of the cross. The stories in 9:37-43a and 9:43b-48 tell further stories of the disciples and Peter getting it wrong. Such is the way of discipleship. Some-times we get it right; sometimes wrong. Always we live under the call of Jesus: Do not be afraid.
A third story of Peter to tell is the story of Peter's denial as told in 22:54-62. This story only occurs in the lectionary as part of the long reading for the Sunday of the Passion. This is as good a time as any to tell this story of Peter's denial. The story has no happy ending. Peter is reduced to bitter tears. All who are called to mission know these moments! It is clear, however, that Jesus did not give up on Peter even in this time of denial. As Luke tells the story, Peter is alive and well preaching on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14ff) and speaks without fear to the Jewish leaders. The word of Jesus has sustained him. "Do not be afraid!" Easter has transformed him. Such is the hope of disciples in every age!
As suggested above it might be well to apply each of these stories of Peter to your own hearers as you go. The structure would be: story of Peter, word to today's disciples. Second story of Peter, word to today's disciples. Third story of Peter, word to today's disciples. It has already been suggested that Jesus' word to Peter, "Do not be afraid," might serve as the word of God which continues to empower sinners to catch people for the Kingdom of God.
____________
1.aRobert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts, Volume One (Phila-delphia: Fortress Press, 1986), p. 265.
