There is an early story of Peter before he knew Jesus a story that has spoken to me all my life. Peter was fishing and not catching anything at all. Jesus saw Peter, and He climbed into Peter’s boat to teach the crowds from Peter’s boat. “4 When Jesus had finished teaching, he said to Simon (Peter), ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ 5 Simon answered Jesus, ‘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 burst. 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’s knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’” Luke 5:4-8!
Two things stand out for me here: First, Peter says to Jesus “if You say so, I will put out into deeper water and let down the nets” (Verse 4) Peter has enough faith in Jesus, even though he doesn’t know Jesus, to do what Jesus tells him to do. That’s faith, and I admire Peter for his faith! The second thing I love is the humility of Peter after Peter and his colleagues fill three boats to the sinking point with fish: “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man’” (Verse 8). Peter humbly acknowledges Jesus’ power and sees how unworthy he is in Jesus’ presence. He falls to his knees in front of Jesus and acknowledges his sinfulness! We all need to do what Peter did — repent.
So today I invite you to consider your own life and relationship with Jesu. Oh how we all need to repent and kneel before the Lord. We need the humble faith of Peter! Don’t be fair of following Peter in this regard. Take time in your prayer today and repent, turn back and retrace your steps, then ask god for forgiveness, and then begin to follow Him again.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” Acts 3:19.
“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” Luke 13:3.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
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