Word@Work Luke65 - Luke 5:8-11
Published: Tue, 03/23/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SURPRISE, SURPRISE
Luke 5:8-11 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (NIV)
This passage should surprise us. First, Simon Peter caught a shoal of fish but then describes himself as a 'sinful man': then Jesus is kind to the self-confessed sinner and makes him the first disciple! What is going on?
Well, Simon Peter did not really believe any fish would be caught. He protested to Jesus and then put out his nets to demonstrate that Jesus did not know what He was talking about. In fact, it was Peter who was out of order. That was proved when so many fish came aboard the two boats that they were in danger of being swamped by the waves (Luke 5:4-7). Peter's conscience was now working overtime. He had not believed Jesus. Although he accepted the authority of Jesus and obediently let down the nets, he thought nothing would happen. In other words, the fisherman realised that Jesus was right and He was wrong ... and that is the basis on which sin is charted. Sin is rebelling against Jesus in deed, word or thought: and Peter knew that his thoughts were not worthy of the Master so he begged Him to go away.
So why should Jesus want to take him on as a disciple? Surely the Christ would not choose sinners? Well, He does - at least sinners who admit it (and implicitly ask for mercy). Of course, everybody is a sinner, but all those who confess their mess will find pardon. Jesus not only accepted Peter's admission of failure, but He also selected him for Divine service as a disciple. Interestingly, only those who admit they are not right, are made right; but those who think they are right, are excluded from the privilege of being with Jesus.
Many think that Christians have got everything right. No! In fact, you cannot become a Christian unless you admit that even your best efforts are rubbish (Philippians 3:7-8). Christ does not seek clever people with amazing ability: He wants self-confessed sinners who make themselves available to His grace and mercy. None of us can ever be good enough for God, but those who admit their sin and believe in Jesus will be saved. Perhaps this truth is not well understood by your friends and colleagues. Maybe they even think you are so much better than them and that they could never earn God's favour. If so, they need the truth. You are no better than them: if there is a difference it is that you have taken your sin to the cross of Christ and you have been forgiven. But that can be true for them too. So, don't leave them in the dark - tell them that Jesus welcomes confessing sinners, broken people, failures and outcasts. But they will need your encouragement to come to Jesus, because they may believe they will be rejected - instead they will be welcomed!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for convicting me of sin by Your Holy Spirit, so that I could come to You and be made clean. Forgive me when I forget what a great privilege is mine. And forgive me if I ever give the impression that You love me because I try to be good. Help me to share the truth that only You are good and that You welcome all those who confess their sin. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
This passage should surprise us. First, Simon Peter caught a shoal of fish but then describes himself as a 'sinful man': then Jesus is kind to the self-confessed sinner and makes him the first disciple! What is going on?
Well, Simon Peter did not really believe any fish would be caught. He protested to Jesus and then put out his nets to demonstrate that Jesus did not know what He was talking about. In fact, it was Peter who was out of order. That was proved when so many fish came aboard the two boats that they were in danger of being swamped by the waves (Luke 5:4-7). Peter's conscience was now working overtime. He had not believed Jesus. Although he accepted the authority of Jesus and obediently let down the nets, he thought nothing would happen. In other words, the fisherman realised that Jesus was right and He was wrong ... and that is the basis on which sin is charted. Sin is rebelling against Jesus in deed, word or thought: and Peter knew that his thoughts were not worthy of the Master so he begged Him to go away.
So why should Jesus want to take him on as a disciple? Surely the Christ would not choose sinners? Well, He does - at least sinners who admit it (and implicitly ask for mercy). Of course, everybody is a sinner, but all those who confess their mess will find pardon. Jesus not only accepted Peter's admission of failure, but He also selected him for Divine service as a disciple. Interestingly, only those who admit they are not right, are made right; but those who think they are right, are excluded from the privilege of being with Jesus.
Many think that Christians have got everything right. No! In fact, you cannot become a Christian unless you admit that even your best efforts are rubbish (Philippians 3:7-8). Christ does not seek clever people with amazing ability: He wants self-confessed sinners who make themselves available to His grace and mercy. None of us can ever be good enough for God, but those who admit their sin and believe in Jesus will be saved. Perhaps this truth is not well understood by your friends and colleagues. Maybe they even think you are so much better than them and that they could never earn God's favour. If so, they need the truth. You are no better than them: if there is a difference it is that you have taken your sin to the cross of Christ and you have been forgiven. But that can be true for them too. So, don't leave them in the dark - tell them that Jesus welcomes confessing sinners, broken people, failures and outcasts. But they will need your encouragement to come to Jesus, because they may believe they will be rejected - instead they will be welcomed!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for convicting me of sin by Your Holy Spirit, so that I could come to You and be made clean. Forgive me when I forget what a great privilege is mine. And forgive me if I ever give the impression that You love me because I try to be good. Help me to share the truth that only You are good and that You welcome all those who confess their sin. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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