日本語説教は、録音したものを掲載する予定です。。。。乞うご期待！
Being Professionals
By Rev. Kazuhiro Sekino
Christianity sometimes says that our life is like a journey on a boat. In the Bible a boat is symbol of a journey of faith. Baby Moses was put in the small boat and left to float down the river. Noah survived through the flood with the Ark. Jesus walked on the water and he went in a boat with the disciples many times. Baptism also is a symbol of a journey of faith. We the Christian go through the baptismal water and are born again as a Christian. It sounds nice, however it is easy to listen the Gospel but actually doing what it says is so difficult.
Today’ Gospel is also story about a boat. One night the disciples went out fishing all night but they could not catch any fish. They were disappointed with this result. Then the resurrected Christ came to them and told them “Throw your net out again to the right side of your boat!”
This story symbolizes our journey as a Christian. We the Christian listen to the living Gospel of Christ than go out to start a new weak. But our life is savvier. At church we hear the living gospel. We hear the answers to, “who am I?” and “how can I live?” However after listening we seldom follow what we heard. Today’s Gospel story tells us that many people were there to listen to the words of God, but Peter and the other fishermen didn’t care for Jesus. They were just about to finish their work, and were disappointed that they could not catch anything even after working all through the night.
Not only does the boat symbolize our Christian life, but also our daily one. We all lived our own separate lives this week, some could work nicely but others were not able to. Some might have experienced many difficulties such as a broken relationship or business troubles.
For me, I had to preside over a funeral two days this week. One of our congregation members passed away from cancer at a young age. It was such a big sadness, not only serving the funeral but I also needed to support their family too. At the same time many of our congregation members have serious cancer, so right after finishing the funeral I went to another hospital to encourage one of them.
It is meaningful work, however these sad events throw a negative shadow over me. I feel like I am going to burn out. Don’t you have something similar in your life? You might be tired out by the many tasks, which you have done, or stressed with many relationships around you. With this burden we came to church Sunday morning. Then we want to ask ourselves if we really want to listen words of God? Do we really need the words of God and to take action as Jesus says? Peter and the other fisherman were tired after long work and they had no interest in the words of God. When Jesus told Peter “put out into the deep water and let dawn your nets for a catch”, they must have thought, “what is this man talking about? We are professional fishermen; we worked all night and could not catch anything, so how can you tell us to throw our net into deep water? Are you kidding me??”
I think the same thing happens at church, after one week we come here, and I preach “Don’t worry God be with you!” “God loves you!” “God forgives you!” It is true but I know people feel “Hey Pastor how do you know my life?” “How do you know my suffering?”
But still we listen to the Gospel and sermon. But we really can’t take it seriously because we become a professional for our own lives. And we reject somebody’s advice or guidance.
A few years ago, one Brazilian man got really drunk in front of the church. He was arrested by policemen. He was quite shocked after being arrested. Then he came to church for confession. Former missionary Hanson and I listened to him and prayed together. After the prayer this Brazilian man started asking questions to missionary Hanson. “Hey do you believe God?” “Do you believe in God? You should believe God. ” Then Pastor Hanson was shocked because this question is ridiculous. He is a professional pastor why should be asked, “do you believe God?”
However this guy kept saying to Pastor Hanson “you should believe in God!” and finally he started to pray for Hanson to be a Christian. After all of this I thought this event symbolizes our faith. God is not asking, “Are you a pastor or not?” He is asking, “Do you believe in me and follow me?”
We all become professionals for own life. This is true not only about a difficult skilled job, but also our daily life. We think, “I know everything about my life” “I am the best person who know about my future” So honestly we listen to others and even the Gospel but don’t want to obey it, because we are the professional about ourselves.
The word “Profession” means to declare your faith in public. Profession does not mean that you know everything in your own field, but it does mean we will give up in our own fields at time. At this time we can not do anything, so we declare “God help me! Let me hear your voice, and I will follow you.” Peter met Jesus when he could not catch any fish; it was the worst time in Peter’s professional life because he was fisherman that couldn’t catch any fish. So he was disappointed and tired out after working all night. Then he met Jesus and tried what Jesus said.
Then he got so many fish. When Peter saw this he became scared and got down on his knees. He said, “Go away Lord I am sinful man” We can see how people will be in front of Jesus. Peter’ profession changed to someone who confesses. He confessed to God and then his job changed from a fisherman to a fisher of men. He began catching man and saving them by confessing whom Jesus is.
Remember Peter did not have anything to become professional. He could not catch any fish and so, he lost his confidence. Of course he was tired after working all the night, then Jesus approached Peter. Jesus comes to us too when we are in a bad condition.
Jesus is not coming exactly when we want. But his coming is unconditional like his love. He lets us hear his voice and leads us into new life. Isn’t that what this morning is for us? We might be giving up because of many difficulties, are tired after a long week’s work, and overwhelmed by many relationships. Is it time for us to listen to his word?
Jesus said to Peter “throw your net again!”
I know you are giving up on many things, and are tired of asking God for anything anymore. You might feel that you don’t want to hear others’ advice. But Jesus is telling you do it again!
Is it your time to hear the words of Christ?
Is it your time to try what you are giving up on again??
