When Jesus calls, do we answer? What blessings await us when we do answer? Following Jesus: trusting His plan for our lives begins with a willingness to hear His call and respond with faith. Can you hear Him even now calling you to more—more life, more love, more sacrifice, more of Him and less of you? In Luke chapter 5, Jesus is by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus sees a boat and steps into it to preach to the crowd from the water. The owner was no less than Simon Peter. Simon had fished all day. Weary from catching nothing, he had called it a day and begun to wash his nets. But Jesus calls to him.
The Call of Simon Peter
Jesus calls Peter to go out once more with his nets to catch some fish. Simon informs Jesus that they have caught nothing all day, but then Simon says to Jesus, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Thus begins the journey of faith for Simon Peter: Simon Peter does as Jesus commands and catches so many fish his boat almost sinks. In awe over this miracle, this was the moment of revelation for Simon.
A Moment of Revelation
From this moment forward he will more often be called Peter. His life changed and to reflect that his name also changed. We see this name change often in Scripture where it symbolizes a change in a person's identity. Peter sees the great catch of fish and exclaims to Jesus, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” When we see Jesus performing miracles in our lives how do we respond? Are we thankful? Do we have sort of an "of course God provided me a miracle because I love Him" attitude. Almost taking His miracles for granted, or are we reminded of our sinfulness before Him? Are we reminded of our unworthiness? Just as Jesus filled their nets beyond measure, He was preparing them for a spiritual harvest far greater.
The Promise to “Catch Men”
James and John, the sons of Zebedee and partners of Simon, are also astonished at the miracle. Then Jesus makes an unusual promise. He tells them that instead of fish they will now "catch men". But first, Jesus tells them, "Do not be afraid." At this there was no more talking, only action; they didn't ask Jesus what He meant, they didn't ask why He told them to not be afraid, they didn't say, "But wait, Lord, we have other things to do first." This important moment shows the kind of total commitment that Jesus calls His disciples to live.
Following Jesus: Trusting His Plan for Our Lives
They dropped everything, left everything, forsook their own lives to immediately follow Jesus. These unlikely men stepped out into the unknown for Jesus. When Jesus calls us He also calls us to put Him first above all else. He calls us to trust Him. Whatever plans we may have had for our lives are now under His control. Did you want to get married? Did you want a certain job? Did you want to get a degree in a certain field? Following Jesus requires us to be willing to give up our plans and follow His; we must "take up our cross" (Matthew 10:34-39). If we aren't willing to do so, Jesus says we aren't worthy to be His disciple.
Sacrificing Our Plans for His Purpose
Peter, James and John realize that from this moment on it is Jesus who will provide for their needs. They will work of course, but the most important thing for them will be to obey the will and the calling of God in their lives. Peter is referred to more in the gospels than any other disciple. Peter stood out in his courage and boldness for Jesus.
Peter’s Journey of Faith, Boldness, and Transformation
It is Peter who immediately asked Jesus to wash his entire body when Jesus said, unless he allowed his feet to be washed, he could not be His disciple. It was only Simon Peter who was bold enough to try to walk on water as Jesus did (Matthew 14:22-31), and only he who tried to defend Jesus in the garden when He was arrested by chopping off the ear of a soldier. It was he alone who immediately jumped into the water and swam to meet Jesus when he recognized Him on the shore. Peter was the first to recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 16:16).
But for all his boldness there was also inconsistency. Peter recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, but just a bit later Jesus tells him, "Get behind me, Satan" (Matthew 16:23). Peter denies Jesus three times but then tells Jesus he loves Him three times. Only in the book of Acts do we see the total transformation of Peter. Why does this happen? The presence of the Holy Spirit is the difference. Now Peter becomes the bold disciple he was always meant to be. No longer was Peter wavering in his faith. Now God was filling him with His Holy Spirit.
Witnessing Jesus’ Ministry
Peter, James and John were singled out to witness certain pivotal events in Jesus' ministry. They witnessed the raising of Jairus' daughter to life (Luke 8:50-55). They were with Jesus at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2) and were with Him during His agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-39). All three would be leaders in the early church. Peter, the "Rock" as Jesus called him (Matthew 16:18) and James and John, nicknamed the "Sons of Thunder" for their boldness (Mark 3:17); all three fishermen would become true "fishers of men" (Luke 5:10).
From Fishermen to Martyrs
Peter will go on to be crucified as Jesus predicted (John 21:20). James died as a martyr at the hands of Herod Agrippa 1 (Acts 12:2) and John is exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where he will go on to write the book of Revelation—a book written as an encouragement to all Christians that the goodness of God will ultimately triumph over evil.
The Transformative Power of Jesus
Peter was a humble servant of Christ. He had no special talents except for his desire to serve Jesus with all that He had. Peter was willing to offer His life for Christ. It is Jesus who changed Peter. It is Jesus who transformed a humble fisherman into the leader of the young Christian movement. Are we willing to be changed? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone?
Our Call to Be Lights in the World
Jesus may not be calling us to be willing to sacrifice our life for Him, but He calls each of us for a purpose. We are each a light to the world. Through us the world sees Him. When we fail to show His love to others He forgives us and asks us not to give up seeking to be more like Him. Through each of us, in big ways and small ways, we reach others for Christ. We fail Him at times, just as Peter did when he denied knowing Jesus, but Jesus understands our failings because He lived as one of us, although without sin.
Do Not Be Afraid—Trust in Him
No matter what we are called to do, Jesus says the same things to us that He said to the disciples, "Do not be afraid." It is Jesus who gives us hope. No matter what we are going through He will always be with us. With Jesus we can overcome fear. He promises us a reward—to live forever with Him. 2 Timothy 1:7, tells us God has given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. Today, Jesus is telling us what He told Jairus long ago in Mark 5:46, "Do not fear, only believe." Through His resurrection our hope is living (1 Peter 1:3).
Hope in a Fearful World
The world we live in today is full of fear and anxiety. The headlines tell us to be afraid. But that is not what Jesus says. He tells us that when He calls us, as He did Peter and the other apostles, we have no need to fear because our trust is in Him, not the world. For us, the things that happen that seem evil, will instead be used for good (Romans 8:28). The world, those outside of Christ, have just cause to fear because they do not have a Savior.
Answering the Call with Courage
Just as Peter’s life was marked by moments of fear, failure, and faith, so too are we called to grow in our journey with Christ, trusting His power and purpose in our lives. So let us think about our call from Christ. How shall we serve Him? How shall we reflect His love to the world? What would He have each of us to do?
Our strength, our abilities, come from the work of the Holy Spirit, not from ourselves. He will give us what we need to do His will, whatever that will may be. He strengthens us through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking out relationships with fellow believers—those who can guide us into a deeper relationship with Christ. We are called to encourage one another in the faith. May we, like Peter, answer the call to follow Christ with courage, trusting in His promises and the hope He promises us.
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