Peter was the leader of the disciples. Simon was his real name and Jesus gave him the name Peter in addition. Peter means “Rock” (Petros in the Greek) and the church was founded on this rock. John MacCarthur refers to him as the disciple with the foot shaped mouth. His name is always listed first when the disciples are listed in the Gospel accounts. Peter’s name is mentioned in the Gospels more than any other name except Jesus. No one speaks as often as Peter, and no one is spoken to by the Lord as often as Peter. No disciple is so frequently rebuked by the Lord as Peter and no disciple ever rebukes the Lord except Peter. No one else confessed Christ more boldly, yet no disciple ever verbally denied Christ as forcefully or as publicly. Peter was eager, aggressive, bold and outspoken. There are so many favorite “Peter” accounts, but perhaps one that stands out most in my mind is when Peter walked on water. You remember the account: Jesus came to the disciples one night out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, walking on the water in the midst of a violent storm. Peter recognized Jesus and said; “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water”, and Jesus said “come”. And Peter was out of the boat walking on the water while the rest of the disciples were clinging to their seats for fear of falling overboard. And we know that when Peter began to doubt, he sank. People often look at that incident and criticize Peter’s lack of faith. But he was the only one who stepped out in faith and left the boat to begin with. Instead of concentrating on the weakness of Peter that brought him down, we should remember where he was when he began to sink. One of my favorite books is written by Pastor John Ortberg and entitled; “If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat”! When I was called into ministry my wife believes this book title should be changed to; “If You Want To Walk On Water, Sometimes God Throws You Out Of The Boat!” Test the limits, believe God’s Word.
We are reading from the Gospel of Luke, and his account of Peter’s first calling into ministry. (Luke 5:1-11)
Jesus had attracted a crowd eager to hear a Word from God. The Sea of Gennesaret, the Sea of Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee are three names used for one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Situated over 600 feet below sea level, it is a most beautiful sight. Tiberias is located on the western shore of this freshwater lake. The Sea of Galilee is beautiful by day and gorgeous by night.
During the mid-eighties a severe drought drained the lake to its lowest level ever. During that time a boat dating back to the first century was discovered. After years of careful restoration, the boat is now on display called “the Jesus boat” because it dates to the time period of His ministry. Jesus could very well have sailed in this boat or one of similar size to the one pictured here.
When the sermon was over, Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Let’s go fishing!” What He actually said was, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch!” Peter had no problem with Jesus using his boat for a pulpit but, when Jesus wanted to use his boat for fishing, Peter had a problem. “Jesus, you stick with preaching and let us handle the fishing.” Jesus wanted Peter to see that his means of earning a living could also be a means of sharing the gospel. Jesus showed Peter that fishing and preaching are not as far apart as Peter thought. That’s a lesson God is still teaching. He wants our conduct to be the same at work, school, in recreation, at home and at church. Jesus wants people to see His life in us, wherever we are and whatever we are doing.
Listen to Peter’s response. He said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” Peter had indeed worked hard, to the point of exhaustion all night long and had come up empty handed. Have you ever felt that way? After your best efforts, you have come up empty-handed. Not just after one day but after years of trying, you have still come up short, with not much to show for all the effort you have invested. Jesus knows and is issuing the same call to you and me as He did to Peter. Get back out there to the deep water, get in over your head and lower your nets one more time. Even though you appear to have failed, try again, risk again, believe again, and work again. What an encouraging word this is to us.
Peter said, “At Your Word, I will try again.” Believing God’s promises we will not give up, we will try again. God said to Peter, “keep trying, keep believing, keep hoping, because He will bring to pass the things about which He has spoken to me in the past.” How about you? What dream are you about to let go of? God wants you to try one more time. For too many people, the tragedy of their lives is that they gave up one effort to soon.
A great catch of fish was enclosed and the second boat was needed to bring the fish ashore. But before the boats make it back, Peter had a life-changing experience. He uttered an amazing sentence, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Have you ever said anything like that? Why would Peter talk to Jesus that way? Most of us are so preoccupied with how valuable we are to Jesus that it would never cross our minds to make a statement like Peter’s. Up until this point Peter has been focusing on what he could do for Jesus. He had offered Jesus his boat, his time, his nets, but now he realized that he had nothing to offer Jesus. The tables have turned; the question is not “What do I have to offer Jesus?” but “Why would Jesus even want me around Him?” Jesus wanted Peter to come to grips with his need for Jesus rather than Jesus’ need for Peter. Making this great discovery is the entry point for becoming a disciple of Jesus. Peter was awestruck by the holiness of Jesus and the sinfulness of himself. When that happens, we are ready to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The miracle accomplished its goal. The real miracle was greater than the catch of fish. Jesus had captured Peter’s heart. Jesus said, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”
When the boats made it back to the shore, we read that Peter left everything and followed Jesus. Jesus invites us to do the same thing. We might not have to walk away from a boat, but there is plenty that we do need to walk away from. Jesus is calling us to walk away from our old life, our old ideas and our treasured possessions in exchange for a new and exciting life of following Him.
And now think about Peter’s life with Christ over the three plus years of Jesus’ ministry. Peter was the chosen favorite, first of the three in the inner circle. This relationship culminated in Peter’s statement to Jesus that he would lay down his life for Christ. And then what happened? Peter adamantly denied he knew Him and he ran and hid. The rock was shattered. How many times have you been too? Pieces everywhere and who is left to pick them up? God can. After all, he created you in the first place. He can easily put all the pieces back together and form a new rock, not discard the old, but use the broken pieces to form even a better one. It may be a different shape, a different size, but it will be stronger than ever and He’ll use all of the very best pieces. God does it all the time, but we have to give up everything in order for Him to complete it.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old things have passed away, behold new things have come.
