Feb 27 – The Call of Peter – Part 2
Connecting the Dots that Jesus Sees Us and Wants Us!
Another reason Jesus called Peter was that Peter connected … the dots. He was a good “systematic theologian.” Like a good plumber who sees low flow in one part of a system and realizes that it indicates a problem elsewhere, Peter realized something.
If Jesus could see the unseen fish, He could also see inside his soul!
“Danger! Danger!!” Satan must have been whispering in Peter’s ear. Misunderstanding Jesus’ love and mercy for him, Peter came up with an oxymoron of an idea: “Depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8b) Satan would cheer that anti-saving idea!
We certainly don’t want God seeing our sin! But since Jesus could see hidden fish, He can see hidden sin! Peter figured that Jesus wanted only “good followers.” Hmmm… know any of those? (Luke 18:19)
Peter shifted his title for Jesus from “Master” (literally “the one who stands over”) to “Lord” which in this context meant God. God certainly does not want sin. True enough. But Peter forgot the meaning of the given name of his Master and Lord: “Jesus” – meaning Savior! The angel Gabriel had said, “You shall call His name ‘Jesus’ for He will save His people from their sin.” (Mt. 1:21)
Jesus did not ask Peter if He could get into Peter’s empty boat. He just got in! Sometimes He does this in our life.
Jesus knew where the fish were, and He knew where Peter’s heart was: isolated in hidden sin and guilt which he wanted to further banish from Jesus’ sight by commanding the Lord to “Depart from me….”
Jesus was in that boat with Peter because He wanted to be. He wanted to forgive Peter. And Jesus’ subsequent muted absolution: “Do not be afraid…” and invitation: “…from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10b) were sufficient for Peter. “This man commandeered my boat, my livelihood, and my sin! He must really want me! In Him, I see forgiveness, more than guilt!”
Prayer: Lord help me remember You are in the boat of my life because You want to be.
You want to forgive me. Thank You! Amen.
