Luke 5: 1-11
v8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
When Jesus blessed us something, do we ask Him for more or we will be statistified with what we get ? Do we become greedy ? How was it possible for Peter to say Go away, I am a sinful man.
Setup:
Jesus was preaching to a large crowd by the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee).
Simon Peter, James and John were fisherman, spent entire night working but didn't caught any fish.
They had just spent the entire night working but caught absolutely nothing.
They were on the shore washing their empty nets when Jesus approached them.
Miracle:
Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat and asked him to push out a little from the shore so He could use it to teach the crowd.
After preaching, Jesus told Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.
He initially resisted, saying, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven't caught anything". However, out of respect, he complied, adding, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets".
v 8-11
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me (“Depart from me.”)— I'm such a sinful man."
For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Peter was humble, obedience!
Obedience:
Peter was a professional fisherman; Jesus was a carpenter. Peter knew he wouldn't get fish in the daytime, yet Peter CHOSE FAITH over his own experience.
Even though Peter was tired and frustrated for not catching any fish over night, he OBEYED Jesus togo back into deep water without GIVING ANY EXCUSES.
Peter chose to submissive to Jesus word. "But because you say so, I will let down the nets ". Peter showed Jesus AUTHORITY OVER his thoughts/reason.
Humble:
Falling at Jesus' knees was an act of complete SURRENDER.
The miracle did not make Peter greedy for more fish or more blessings. it made him aware of his own SPIRTUAL BANKRUPTCY.
Peter says, “Jesus, don’t waste Your time on me—I’ll only let You down." ( Lord, please depart from me, I am sinful man. ). In other words, “Jesus, don’t waste Your time on me—I’ll only let You down.
How Peter story help us ? (tobe a Disciple)
Shifted Trust from Self to Savior
Peter went from depending on his personal fishing expertise to depending wholly on Jesus.
It taught Peter early on that human efforts alone would fall short, but obeying Jesus guarantees supernatural results.
It redefined his Purpose
It helped to break Peter pride, which helped him to take up Spiritual Responsibility ( being a disciple ).
It helped to define/transform Peter purpose and life.
Realize Spiritual Bankruptcy, his sinfulness and need for Grace ( Finding God )
It helped to Peter to realize himself as Sinful man, realized he need Grace from Jesus. In v4, peter called Him as Master, but in v8 he called as "Lord"
He felt physically and spiritually unworthy to be in the presence of the holy. This prompted him to fall at Jesus’ knees and beg Him to leave.
Jesus provided lifetime supply of fish ( more than he and his friends need ), which helped Peter to realize the fear of financial insecurity (material blessings). Helped Peter to walk away confidently to follow Jesus.
The incredible(best) part— Jesus didn’t call Peter because of his perfection. Jesus didn't look at Peter and see a flawed fisherman; He looked at him and saw a "fisher of men."
He called him because of his potential ( what Peter can do ), who are willing to be completely transformed. And the same is true for us! God doesn’t see us for who we were, but for who we can become in Him.
By Jesus power and authority,
multitudes of people will be caught for eternal kingdom blessings
by the followers of Jesus who
teach the word of God,
obey the commands of Jesus,
humble themselves and
treasure Christ above all.
John 21
Jesus used the exact same miracle at the end of His earthly ministry to help Peter.
Beautifully designed SPIRTUAL LOOP
After Jesus died on the cross, verse 3
3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter Failed again, went back to his human strength and expertise. Old habits, he ends up empty.
The Grace
v 11-13 Jesus helped Peter to catch fish again and invited him for breafast. This helped Peters to overcome his guilt of denying Jesus multiple times.
In Luke 5, He cures Peter's fear of the future. In John 21, He cures Peter's shame about his past.
Redefined his purpose again:
v 15 Jesus Said...Feed my lambs.. Take care of my sheep
Peter leaves the fish behind again, this time to lead the early Church.
The correlation is Restoration. By mirroring the exact miracle that started Peter's journey, Jesus was telling him: "Your sin did not cancel your calling. I am the same Lord who called you in the beginning, and I am still the Lord who provides for you now. Stop fishing for fish; get back to fishing for men."