Fishermen.
That’s what they were, that was their trade, it was their livelihood, it was their stock in life ad perhaps that’s what they would turn out to be and see their sons also follow in the family business.
They were caught up with the exciting prophetic ministry of this wild guy called John. That guy seemed to have a connection with God and a way of communicating His truths that resonated with them at a deeper level than usual. There was also something exciting about the message he had to share about preparing the way for the one who was to come. The deliverer of Israel – the promised Messiah. Could this at last be the time. Could this man emerge and bring salvation to the Jews at last?
John had highlighted an individual who he asserted was the one. Subsequently this one did go about preaching and teaching himself and garnered quite the following. People had remarked on the amazing signs he had performed. The fishermen were aware of this as well and were interested to discover more about him. Yet their calling was still all about bringing in the fish.
When this one showed up and asked to use their boat as an area where he could share or of his teaching, the fishermen, especially Simon whose boat it was, let him use the boat. Like others in the crowd, they marvelled at the teaching, but carried on with their task of washing the nets after a fruitless night looking for fish.
When this teacher finished his session, he instructed Simon to go back out. You can see the exasperated look on Simon’s face, having done all that work and sorted out their nets, it was now they were being told to go back out?? Again? At this time?
“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
Whatever reluctance he had was overruled by the desire to obey this man who had taught with such authority. As he did what he was told by the master, something incredible happened. Such was the catch that they brought in that they had to get in their fellow fishing boats to help with the haul. From weeping in the night at the lacklustre response to overwhelming joy in the morning at the great catch.
Then for Simon – the man who is Peter – came a moment of conviction. This good man who had taught about the goodness of God and His coming Kingdom had now demonstrated that Kingdom rule to him. Him who had been reluctant to obey. Him who knew the issues that went on the inside. Simon gives us a good insight into how the goodness of God can convict us. Like the prophet Isaiah, in the light of good, Peter was aware of his own faults and failings. Not for him was this about shrugging it off. He saw how unworthy he was of this kindness.
As Isaiah’s moment was the turnaround, so for Simon came a turnaround. From the calling of catching fish, Simon was called by Jesus to catching men. Catching them from a similar position to Simon, mired in the sinful condition. Called to catch them and bring them to the shore of the Kingdom of God where this rule of kindness, mercy and righteousness is in full effect. As a beneficiary of this now Simon could be a part of seeing others embrace this goodness.
As we read this chapter as recorded in Luke 5, so we can recognise how the kindness of Jesus and His mercy can draw us from the darkness to His light. As we read it, we can see His calling to us totally revolutionise our perspective on calling and vocation. As we follow Jesus, so we recognise the sacred in the mundane, so we acknowledge the presence of the divine in the dire to draw people out of the mire to benefit from the marvellous love.
Even as Simon saw Jesus give him a new name in Peter and a new calling as a fisher of men, so we can be encouraged. Encouraged to embark on a journey with Jesus that makes a new identity in us. Encouraged to know our calling can helps others also take on this journey.
(Photo by Anastasia Palagutina on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 