1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
PRAYER:
THOUGHTS:
In Luke, this is the first meeting between Jesus and Peter (aka Simon). Jesus basically says, "since you aren't using your boat at the moment, do me a favor and move me just far enough from shore that everyone can hear me without pushing me around." We don't know what exactly Jesus was teaching, but afterward he tells Peter to take him fishing.
Note that the passage starts out saying they are cleaning their nets -- they've given up fishing for the day. It's probably not the best time for fishing. I can imagine Peter response as a polite way of saying, "I'm telling you the fish aren't out today, but clearly you're some kind of big shot, so I'll humor you. It's not like I have anything better to do with my day."
Then what happens? They catch TONS of fish!
What's Peter's response? We might expect Peter to be focused on Jesus as being a prophet, psychic, magician, or just really lucky. Peter instead immediately looks inward, reponding "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" The beginning of Peter's faith in Jesus is to be introspective, to realize he isn't worthy, to be scared (maybe thinking he's about to be judged), and to tell Jesus to go away! Peter is completely freaked out by Jesus!
During Lent, we also take time to look inward. Sometimes, we might be scared by what we find, but remember how Jesus responds to Peter: "Do not be afraid." Jesus turned their job as fishermen into a calling to fish for people. They then left everything and followed Jesus.
Today, take some time to honestly look inside yourself, and do not be afraid. Listen to see if you can hear Jesus calling to to follow? What does that look like in your life?
Lord God, we thank you for your mercy, compassion, and teaching. Help us to not be afraid of ourselves, of the future, or of you. We open ourselves to your calling. Lead us and guide us each day. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.
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Theology Pub at Brion's Grille on TODAY (3/24) at 5:15pm. All are welcome.
Ride leaving the campus ministry office (SUB 1 rm 207) at 5pm.
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