A Sinful Man Becomes a Fisher of Men
Luke 5:10-11 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Story: My initial thought is that Simon (later called Peter) was afraid to change from being a fisherman to a fisher of men. After all, it’s frightening to me to strike up any conversation with a stranger, let alone one about Jesus. But the story starts in 5:1 with Jesus teaching a crowd. Not having enough room – or maybe to set a proper boundary – Jesus uses two boats for His teaching. So Simon, with James and John, hosted Jesus in their boats and heard the entirety of this sermon. What must this have been like? Even more, Jesus wants to go fishing. But Simon objects – they’ve been up all night and haven’t caught one tiny fish; but they will do as Jesus says (v. 5). We may not be as surprised as Simon when the nets fill with fish, and the boats are so full of fish that they start to sink. Now we get to the crucial verse 8: Simon Peter falls at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Simon speaks both of his sinfulness and the deity of Jesus; this is his burning bush moment. So then Jesus says not to fear. Not only does Jesus extend salvation and forgiveness to Simon, but also a calling to see other sinners also saved and forgiven.
My Prayer Response: Wow, Father! What a work You did in Simon’s heart; James and John too. I need to think more on verse 8 and how great is Your salvation of my sinful self. I didn’t deserve this, and yet You have freely given me this rescue. Deepen my love of Your gospel – which yes, does mean knowing my sin more clearly. But my fear of You – and thus also my willingness to tell others of Jesus – is directly tied into understanding more fully my love of Your gospel. Use me to be a fisher of men!
Though your sins may be many, may you realize His mercy is more!