The Rock on Which It Is Built

“With his life and family under threat from Rome, Simon spends one last night fishing in a desperate attempt to square his debts. ”

Scriptures

Luke 5:1-11 and Matthew 13:47-52

1. Luke 5:1-11

   Jesus teaches the people out of Simon's ship, miraculously provides fish for them to catch after a night of no success, and calls Simon, James, and John to follow Him.

   1. 1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
   2. 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
   3. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
   4. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
   5. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
   6. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
   7. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
   8. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
   9. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
   10. 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
   11. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

2. Matthew 13:47-52

   Jesus teaches His disciples the parables of the net cast into the sea and the householder's treasures.

   1. 47 ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
   2. 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
   3. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
   4. 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
   5. 51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
   6. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.