There’s a beautiful story of Peter’s introduction to Jesus found in Luke 5. We were studying the life of Peter this weekend and part of my time was sitting in this story. Peter, James, and John had just finished an exhausting night of fishing with nothing to show for the effort. They were cleaning their nets, settling the boats, and looking to the next step. Jesus interrupted their morning. He asked for use of their boat to speak to the people crowding to hear him near the shore. We don’t know what Jesus spoke of that day, Simon did have to wait around until Jesus was finished to care for his boat though. When Jesus finished, he told Peter to go out again and cast the nets.
“Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” Luke 5:5 HSCB
Jesus’ reply is not noted, but they do what he has asked. The fish jump into the nets, they had to get help to bring in the haul. First, Peter could have said no. He could have said, I”m not interested. I’m tired and I want to go to bed. His response was a bit prickly, but he was honest and did it. Second, Peter’s next response after the catch was to fall at Jesus’ feet.
He saw in the purity of the gift of Jesus and knew that he couldn’t stand. Jesus broke through. He knew his heart and mind. I’m not worthy to be here with you. If I think through the miracles of Jesus, worship follows. Dancing. Celebration. Relief. Even a story of only one who turned back to give thanks, but Peter? Peter saw the barrenness of his soul.
I know he joined the others in their amazement and joy, but what Jesus says next tells us he knew what was going on here.
“Don’t be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him. Luke 5:11 HSCB
Jesus saw the fear. He calmed the child before he called him. He knew Peter’s heart and the fear that lingered and stagnated. He gave Pater a new mission. Notice that we are just at the beginning of the story. Was Peter ready to preach as he did in Acts when we meet him here by the shore? Absolutely not. Three years of time with Jesus, denying him and being restored brought him to the chapters in Acts.
Friend, he sees our fear too. He sees our hearts. He has a call on each of our lives and it is not too late to hear his call and respond. He also knows our hearts and minds, the very hairs on our heads. We wonder if we heard right or wonder if we really could do what Jesus is whispering to our hearts. I’m here to say you cannot do it. You cannot do it alone. That’s the point of the calling, God equips who he calls.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was from the Father and was made manifest to us…”1 John 1:1-2 ESV
John told the story that he knew, how he encountered and was changed by the living Jesus. His authority was given by his testimony. He had his story and you have yours. You have a redemption story too. You have heard the truth. You have seen him move in your life and in the lives around you. Your kindness to a receptionist. Your gentle words with a frustrated grocery store clerk. Holding back words and thoughts to your own children or family and turning to prayer instead. Friend, fill in your blank here. What has God been prompting you to do with your gifts?
My life has gotten smaller with my migraines and dizziness, but the power of prayer, texts to people to encourage them, writing, God has a call on my life too. Another thing, isn’t it interesting that we can see other’s gifts before seeing our own?
God sees you finished and complete. He also knows the steps it will take to get there. The story is not meant to honor or glorify you, it is for the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb. It is to bring him the praise and point others to HIM. As one of our pastors said this past weekend, “Tell the truth. Testify with your story. The worse we look in our real story, the more amazing God looks.” Chris Metzger, New Hope Community Church, 4/26/26.
Last thought, I think one of the reasons we resonate with Peter is because we see him as he truly was in real life. Most of the other disciples don’t have their ups and downs written down like this. It’s a gift to us all to know his very low lows and also see his redemption story.
God has done that in you as well. Tell it.
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