Matthew 4, Luke 4-5, and John 1:15-51
In Luke 5, we find the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. Jesus was at the Lake of Gennesaret (better known as the Sea of Galilee) teaching large crowds. Peter had been fishing all night, without catching anything, and was washing his nets while Jesus was teaching. In order to help the crowds hear better, Jesus got into Peter’s boat and asked Peter to push out from shore. After Jesus finished teaching, he asked Peter to go into deeper water and let down his net.
Let’s think of this from Peter’s perspective. He was a professional fisherman and knew how to fish – fish at night in shallow water. What did this stranger know about fishing? And Peter had fished all night, and hadn’t caught anything. If I had been Peter, I think I might have pointed out these facts and then might have dropped this uninvited guest at the shore. Fortunately for Peter, and ultimately for us, Peter didn’t argue (much), he just obeyed – and caught so many fish the nets began to break. After Peter called his partners in another boat, they loaded all the fish into both boats – but there were so many fish, both boats began to sink.
Peter finally recognized he was in the presence of a great prophet of God, and ashamed by his own sinfulness, asked Jesus to leave. Instead of leaving Peter, Jesus invited Peter to follow Him. So Peter did something else irrational. He pulled his boat up to shore, left everything, and followed Jesus.
You might be thinking, “This is an interesting story, but how could this apply to me?” I’m glad you asked.
First, we see that Peter obeyed Jesus in a very little thing – taking Jesus out a little from shore. If Peter hadn’t obeyed this tiny command, he never would have witnessed a spectacular miracle. Later, when Jesus asked Peter to do something that totally defied reason, Peter also obeyed. I love the reason he gave in Luke 5:5, “but because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Peter was willing to submit to authority, even though he didn’t understand the rationale – and remember, there may still have been a crowd watching from shore. Because of his obedience, Peter was then able to witness an incredible miracle. Finally, when Peter acknowledged he wasn’t worthy, Jesus invited Peter to join Him. So, Peter left everything and followed Jesus.
I have found that God often builds our faith little by little. It’s important to obey God in even the smallest of things. God will then build on those experiences and obedience for the future. Sometimes, this may take the form of trials. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
I believe no one starts as a giant in the faith. We obey little by little. We face trials little by little. And at some point, you can look back on your life and realize, “Wow, God and I have come a long way together.”
So I challenge you to get into God’s word. As you do, God will prick your conscience and guide your thoughts. Follow God’s direction, even in the little things. At some point, you will recognize, like Peter – “I’m not worthy.” But the good news is, Jesus is still calling people to leave their former life behind and completely follow Him. This includes me. This includes you.
— Steve Mattison
Today’s Bible passage can be read or listened to at BibleGateway here – Matthew 4, Luke 4-5, and John 1:15-51
Tomorrow we will read John 2-4 as we continue to SeekGrowLove on our 2020 reading plan.
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