The term “Master” is used dozens of times in the gospels to refer to Jesus Christ. This title of address simply means a teacher. Jesus is the great teacher of all mankind. In Luke 5:1-11, there are four areas where Jesus is proven to be our Master. Because of His exalted position, He commands respect and obedience.
First, He is master over doctrine (vv. 1-3). He taught, and when He did, He taught with the authority of God. The Lord is who we must listen to, not man. This was the message Peter received directly from God on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7). We may be tempted to listen to our parents, our conscience, our feelings, our preacher, or human creeds to decide spiritual matters. For everything we do, we look to the Lord’s word for instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11). No man should ever be our authority, nor should we be our own authority.
Second, He is master over decisions (vv. 4-5). Against his better judgment, Peter did as he was told. Peter was a professional fisherman so he would have known when the fish could be caught. But because of his confidence and knowledge of the Lord’s miraculous ability, he listened and obeyed. Peter was like the wise man who decided to build his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25). Through Peter’s example we learn to listen to Jesus too. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love, keep my commandments.” Our love for the Savior will compel us to follow His will above our judgment and desires.
Third, He is master over details (vv. 6-7). The results were just what Jesus wanted them to be. We obey, and Jesus takes care of the details. Here the Lord proved what He said in Luke 12:31: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The Lord promises that He will provide for us if we will only follow Him and put His kingdom first. As long as physical matters take first place in the hearts of Christians, we cannot receive the blessings Christ has promised. Only when we walk by faith and determine to obey Him will He bless us many times over.
Fourth, He is master over devotion (vv. 8-11). Convicted, amazed, and frightened, Peter and the others began to follow the Lord Jesus. They forsook all and were willing to follow Him. The Lord demands this response of everyone. He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). Anyone who is willing to show this level of devotion to the Lord will receive much here and in the life to come (Matthew 19:29).
The correct response is to always trust and obey the Master. If He is not Master over your life, then you place your eternal destiny in peril. By obedience to God’s commands through the call of the gospel, He can be made Master over your life this very day.
Kyle Campbell
