Peter sensed there was more going on than a catch of fish and turned to humble himself before Jesus. Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 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!”[1]
Peter knelt before the Light of the World and reflected on his own sinfulness. Peter knew who he was, and he knew who Jesus was. Peter knew he was a sinner. He knew he had fallen short and this was a humbling experience. Peter did not puff himself up or think he was someone he was not. The Apostle Paul writes about this in Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”[2]
All of us fall short of God’s gold standard, but God does not leave us where we are. In His grace, the Lord extends the olive branch of salvation to each person. Paul writes in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” [3]
When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He opens doors for us that we can’t. It takes humility to say, “Jesus I need you.” It takes humility to tell Jesus, “I have fallen short.” It takes humility to submit ourselves to God. As we humble ourselves before God and accept His free gift of salvation, He begins to change our life. The Lord begins to mold and shape us and over time we become different people. If you follow the life of Peter, he is not the same person three years after this great catch. That can also be true for you and me as we humble ourselves before the Lord. Ask the Lord: What are you teaching me through this situation? What do You want me to be about today? From personal experience I can say, I am not the same person I was 10 years ago. Praise the Lord!
Is the Lord calling you, like Peter, to take a step of humility? Take the hand of the Good Shepherd and let Him lead you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. [4] James 4:10.
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To hear more about the call of Peter, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-call-peter
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.