A new beginning requires an ending, as we can see in the lives of Peter, James, and John, when Jesus called them to be His disciples. When Jesus called Peter, his decision to follow Him wasn’t merely an addition to his life; it was a radical reorientation that required him to leave behind his entire livelihood.
Luke 5:11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.[1] This verse summarizes a profound truth: to embrace the new, we often must let go of the old. Peter’s story leading up to this moment is crucial. He had toiled all night, catching nothing. Then, at Jesus’ command, he cast his nets one more time and experienced a miraculous catch. This catch was so abundant that their nets began to break, and filled their boats to the point of sinking.
It was not just a good day of fishing; it was a divine intervention that revealed Jesus’ power and Peter’s unworthiness. 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.”[2] Yet, Jesus’ response was not condemnation but commissioning: Luke 5:10“Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”[3]
Fishing for People Was a New Beginning
This promise of “fishing for people” was the new beginning. But for Peter to step into this extraordinary calling, he had to end his life as a fisherman. He had to walk away from the familiar scent of the sea, the regular pull of the nets, the companionship of his fishing partners, and the security of a known profession. His boats, his nets, his entire identity as Peter the fisherman had to be brought to land and left behind.
This wasn’t a temporary pause but an ending to one chapter so that another, far greater one, could begin. It was an exchange of a temporal occupation for one with an eternal focus. His decision to follow Jesus was a result of a divine encounter with the Lord. The miracle catch was a powerful sign of the authority and trustworthiness of the One who called him. It gave him the courage to let go of what was comfortable and known, and to step into the unknown with faith.
Jesus Also Calls Us to New Beginnings
For us, Peter’s story serves as a timeless reminder. What “boats” do we need to bring to land and leave behind to embrace the new beginnings Jesus has for us? It might be old habits, limiting beliefs, unhealthy relationships, a pursuit of earthly security, or even a comfortable occupation that keeps us from stepping out in faith.
Just as Peter’s nets, though full, had to be abandoned so that he could follow Jesus, we too may need to release what we cling to if it hinders our walk with Jesus. Embracing a new beginning with God is both scary and exciting, as the Lord takes us into the unknown. It requires a willingness to forsake the familiar for what God has for us. Only in retrospect do we realize the gift the Lord is extending to us as we leave our old life behind.
To learn how a new beginning requires an ending, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-radical-reorientation
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.