When did you receive Jesus’ call to follow Him? How has that changed your life? We, at times, think the disciples were flawless and some kind of super humans. Our story today shows us differently and I think gives us hope as we see Jesus at work.
First Call
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!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.[1]
Peter went out into deeper water as Jesus directed for a great catch. Then Jesus asked him to go out into deeper spiritual water and follow Him. Peter obeyed the call to follow for three years, but just prior to Jesus’ death, Peter denied Jesus three times. He was guilty and confused, unsure of what was ahead. So, Peter goes fishing, again.
Second Call
In a repeat of the first call, Jesus again directs a great catch. Peter realizes the man on shore is Jesus and rushes in to see Him. Peter can only admit a friendship love for Jesus. He knows he has not been fully committed and devoted. Still Jesus tells Peter to “feed His sheep” or care for the believers. God has a task ahead for Peter, even if at this point, Peter can only admit to being a friend.
Then Jesus says, John 21: 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”[2]
In this conversation, Jesus again calls Peter and restores him to leadership. Peter would follow Jesus and glorify God in his life and death.
Our Call
When we hear Jesus’ call to follow, we are usually afraid, but Jesus tells us not to be. When Peter followed Jesus, he did not know where this would lead him or what an amazing gift the Lord was giving him.
Jesus is also calling us to come follow Him! For some He is calling you to faith. For others He is calling you into deeper spiritual water. For others He is calling you a second or third time. You may have stopped on your spiritual journey. You may need words of encouragement to get up and keep going. Luke 9:23 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.[3]
There is no greater call in life than to follow Jesus! There is no greater reward you will ever receive than to be a follower of Jesus. To follow Jesus begins on earth and takes you all the way to heaven itself one day. The call of Jesus will not be easy, but the difficulty of our call is what molds us to be the kind of people He desires.
To hear more about the second call of Peter, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-peter
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.