Sinner

Luke 5:1-11

Hi friends –

This Sunday I’ll be preaching on Luke 5:1-11, the passage in which Jesus calls his first disciples, Peter, James, and John. To recruit these disciples, Jesus displays a sign of his power and authority in an abundant catch of fish so excessive that the nets almost split, it takes two boats to haul in the catch, and the weight of the fish in the net is so great that it threatens to capsize the two boats. Upon seeing this miracle, Peter “falls at Jesus feet and said, ‘leave me Lord, for I am a sinner’” (Luke 5:8).

Sinner (read with Dana Carvey’s SNL Church Lady Voice) – that’s a word that gets bandied about a lot in the church. True, it’s a concept that is central to Christian theology in that it speaks to humanity’s need for Christ’s redemption and salvation, but it is also a word that has been somewhat weaponized as Christians have used it to label and demonize others, and the church has used it to assert human power and control over people. Novelist, theologian, and Presbyterian Pastor Frederick Buechner says due to misuse, overuse, and wrong-use of both the word and concept of sin we have lost our understanding of what the word and concept of sin even means.

The passage above is actually the first time in the Gospel in which the term sinner is used. But what exactly does Peter mean when he makes this confession? NT scholar Richard Vinson notes that the theme of confession of sin is central to the Gospel of Luke because “in Luke’s Gospel, everyone except Jesus needs to repent in order to come to God.” But why then is that so central to the message Luke is sharing about Jesus? Another NT scholar, Joel Green, has these helpful thoughts to share about Peter’s confession:
Peter is “aware of the profound status” of Jesus as a “teacher-prophet,” and Peter “responds by falling to his knees in humility.”
“Peter recognizes the vast different between Jesus and himself, and so recoils in ‘the terror experienced in the presence of the Holy One.’”
In Luke’s gospel the term sinner is used to indicate:
People who “recognize themselves in need of divine redemption.”
Or those “ostracized by others and stand in the greatest need of intervention.” (Green 234)

So, when Peter confesses to Jesus that he is a sinner, he is: (1) recognizing Jesus’ holiness; (2) aware of his own unworthiness; (3) identifies his own need of redemption. For Luke, this posture is important because it precedes a person’s openness to Jesus and subsequent willingness to follow him.

So why then is the concept of sin and confession to central not just to the Gospel of Luke, but to Christian theology? Because in order to follow Jesus, we must first identify and understand our need for Jesus’ love, grace, and healing in our lives. That’s also why later in the Gospel Jesus will tell others that he has come for the sick, and not those who perceive themselves to be well, because it’s always the sick that need doctors. Do you believe you have need for Jesus in your life?

Through Luke’s focus on the confessions of sinners throughout his Gospel, Luke “highlights Jesus’ identity as one who crosses boundaries to bring good news to the unworthy” (Green, 234). Know that in your places of brokenness, imperfection, and yes, sin, Jesus stands ready to meet you, heal you, and redeem you. You are loved by Jesus, and his offer of forgiveness is extended to you. Furthermore, if you are pushed to the margins of society, and feel a lack of belonging, know that Jesus extends friendship, relationship, and love to you.

We are never outside of Jesus embrace.

Peace,

Kyle