Lately I’ve been on a Johann Gerhard reading binge.  A few weeks back in Ft Wayne I picked up volume 2 of Gerhard’s “Postilla” and have been thoroughly enjoying his sermons.

Here’s a brief selection from Gerhard’s sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity on Luke 5:1-11 (Jesus preaching to the crowd from the boat and the large catch of fish).

Peter’s small boat is a picture of the Christian Church.  For just as God’s Word resounds from Peter’s small boat is also how one hears Christ’s word in the Christian Church.  This makes Peter’s little boat much dearer and nobler than a great transport ship laden with gold, silver, precious stones, and other such perishable goods.

Just as a great haul of fish is caught here by the power of Christ’s word is also how many different peoples are gathered together into the Church by Christ’s Word.

. . .

The boat begins to sink; but, of course, since Christ is on board, it cannot sink completely.  Likewise, in the sea of this world, the Lord God knows how to protect His little ship against all danger, just as the ark, or ship, of Noah was preserved in the towering water of the Great Flood. (p.63-64)

What great comfort it is to be reminded of the power of Christ’s words — for it gathers and enlightens, forgives and sanctifies, and where there is forgiveness there is life and salvation.