Peter’s Beginning - What Grace Looks Like A - 4
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon Peter, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
(Luke 5, NIV)
Peter ... probably in his High School Yearbook he was voted as "least likely to succeed", "least tactful", but on the good side, "hardest worker for his Report Card C and D grades. The original unguided missile! Peter probably believed all the bad press about him and probably had a rather harsh view of daily life. His vocabulary was “salty”, to say the least. He saw himself as the epitome of mediocrity, and true outsider in his time. Yet Jesus saw right through him, like He does for us as well.
Make sure you see what is happening in this precious story. Peter worked all night and caught nothing. He was not a happy camper. Can't you see him grumbling under his breath as that itinerant preacher, Jesus, used Peter's boat to speak to the people? A boat that could be used to catch fish. And make sure you read not only his words when Jesus told him to fish again, but can't you hear the sarcasm almost dripping from Peter’s mouth as he reminds the preacher that last night was all in vain? He was exhausted and wondering how he was going to pay bills.
But after the miraculous catch, he had the humility to admit he was in over his head even talking to this preacher. Can't you hear him telling Jesus that he worked hard, that he sweated on the job, that his Scripture knowledge was limited to the Adam and Adam’s wife, oh, what's her name? Can't you hear him explain why Jesus should look away, that he was used goods, too far gone into a rough and tumble world?
And then the best part! When Peter admits he is a "sinful man", does Jesus agree and point out all his shortcomings? NO! Rather, we read "not to worry, and by the way Peter, do I have a great future for you!"
If you ever wonder what free, unearned Grace is, read this conversation over and over!
Sometimes we can get bound up in our guilt from the past, and if so, know that this is not a hindrance to God's free, abundant Grace! Just the opposite - His Grace heals! As you speak with Him, be sure to listen to His words, as He tells you that a great future awaits you and can start this very minute!!! If you tend to look backwards, rewinding a tape that catalogues your past sins, know that Jesus is always looking forward! Your “sin” tape, by the way, is long gone!
Little did Peter realize that this day would be the start of building the new Peter, a man given great responsibility, a man who could be relied on to lead. But also, a Peter who would have to replace and re-learn most of his thinking, and handle mistakes as well.
1) Go to the Scripture story above, paragraph 4 … how did Peter describe himself? Why the exclamation point?
2) Can you see the stages in His Peter’s life, from believing lies about himself, to acting out on those lies, to Jesus re-writing Peter’s whole set of self-beliefs, to a new “BUT NOW” set of beliefs which became the key to a new man?
3) Do you think that Peter had to work hard on his journey to become a new Peter?
4) Do you find that you look backwards, rather than forwards, much of the time, and the net result is a feeling of hopelessness, sadness and optimism?
5) Jesus saw the potential in Peter and spoke of an exciting future. Do you feel that He sees and thinks the same way about YOU?
6) Did Peter’s transformation take only hours like the woman at a well or Zacchaeus, or was it lengthier, measured in years?
7) If Jesus said to YOU what He said to Peter, could you absorb it, bring it into the center of yourself, bring it to the front of your mind and believe it?
YOU too can go from fisherman to follower!