This morning I had the opportunity to study the first lesson in the Bible study I wrote on 1 and 2 Peter. It’s been an exciting journey and one that I have been so blessed in as I’ve grown closer to Jesus through Peter’s words. I want to share a little bit of my study with you. This is the teaching portion I shared with my ladies this morning. I pray that you will find some words of encouragement here.

You’ve spent a week with this fellow Peter. You’ve searched Scripture that gave you a better understanding of who he was and what his role in the early church was. But, there is still more to learn about this multi-faceted man.

Picture this scene with me if you will. Jesus had been seen teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret or the Sea of Galilee. People swarmed to hear what Jesus had to say. Luke tells us that the people were crowding around Him so they could hear His teaching.

A short distance away were fishermen washing their fishing nets. These men had fished all night and were preparing to head home and call it a day. But then, Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat. I can’t help but think that this is moment that everything changed for Peter. The Son of God stepped into Peter’s world. His fishing world. His day-to-day-living world.

As the story unfolds, Jesus taught a bit from the boat, but then asked to “put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4 – NIV) I believe this next verse is key to Peter’s future as well as our own. “Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5 – NIV)

First, Peter called Jesus “Master.” Peter had heard Jesus’ message. Maybe it wasn’t the message that Peter wanted to hear, but he recognized Jesus as a master at His trade. Peter saw the people. Peter had heard of and had seen, the miracles Jesus was performing. And because of all that Peter was experiencing in this encounter with Jesus, Peter called Jesus “Master.”

But then, Peter told the Son of God that He didn’t know what He was talking about. Peter and his co-workers had fished all night and were cleaning their nets when Jesus stepped into the boat. Not a fish had been caught. They were professionals. They knew their trade. And along comes an unskilled, wanna-be “fisherman” who thinks they missed the right fishing spot. I must admire Peter in this moment for really holding his tongue.

Finally, Peter gave in and obeyed. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5) Peter could have refused. Peter could have said “You’re crazy!” Peter could have thrown Jesus overboard. But instead, Peter said okay because Jesus had asked him to do so.

Well, as it turned out, Jesus was right. The results of this fishing venture proved to be an amazing sight.

This rag-tag group of fishermen who chose to obey Jesus caught so many fish they had to call for help. The nets were ripping. The boats were sinking. But Jesus was true to His word. They caught fish.

It was in this moment that Peter recognized his sinful nature. He fell at Jesus’ knee and said, “Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) What a turning point for Peter. And I believe we read Peter’s acknowledgement of this truth in 1 & 2 Peter as he shares the message of grace to his readers.

Which led to the next result of this scriptural account. Jesus turned to this group of men who had just pulled in the catch of a lifetime and said, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10) And you know what happened? Peter and his friends pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Jesus.

What can we learn from Peter’s encounter with Jesus?

We learn that we can call Jesus “Master.” Every mainstream version of the Bible translates this word “master.” The Greek word here is epistatēs (e-pē-stä’-tās ) and it was the word used by Jesus’ disciples not so much for His teaching, but for His authority. For each of us, we too must determine whether we believe Jesus’ teaching, but we must also determine how Jesus’ authority affects our lives. What authority have you given Jesus in your life?

We also see here that Peter questioned Jesus’ request or perhaps, Peter just stated the facts. They had “fished all night and had caught nothing.” I think it is okay to question. I think it’s a good idea to state the facts. But I don’t believe we should stay in this position. This is where faith meets our day-to-day living. Sometimes we simply need to say, “Because You say so, I will…” What is it that you need to let go of?

And then we need to move. Do what Jesus is asking you to do. This lesson is a hard one. It means that we will move from our comfort zone into the unknown. It means that we will make a risky move. It means that we are going to be stretched. Are you willing to take a risk because Jesus tells you to do so?

We also learn to recognize that without God’s grace we are “sinful women (or men).” Our dear friend Peter got it in this moment. Peter knew his selfish, human nature would cause him trouble. But Jesus saw something special in Peter. And ladies, He sees the same in you and me. Jesus knew that in just a few short years He would hang on a cross and carry the burden of each human being’s sin. That included Peter. That included you and me. Yes, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God…every single day. But with God’s grace and forgiveness, we are able to live as justified, sanctified women…every single day.

And finally, “don’t be afraid” to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Fear is tough. It debilitates. It keeps us from doing amazing things. It apparently was what was hindering Peter and his friends from following Jesus. Is fear hindering you from doing what Jesus is calling you to do? If so, these words are for you. “Don’t be afraid.” It doesn’t mean you won’t have problems, or issues, or setbacks, or push back. What it does mean is “don’t be afraid.” Don’t allow fear to stop you from making your next move. From sharing the Gospel with your neighbor. From loving your enemy. From going on a mission trip. From speaking the truth in love. From befriending an outcast. From giving a little more. From standing upon your morals. From __________ (you fill in the blank). “Don’t be afraid.”

Just as Jesus stepped into Peter’s fishing boat, Jesus desires to step into our day-to-day-living. The Son of God wants to be an integral part of your life. Jesus wants to be with you through the highlights and the lowlights. It’s up to you and me to decide how far we will allow Him to come into our “boat.”

Peter wasn’t perfect once he walked away from his fishing nets and boat. Far from it. But Peter chose to allow Jesus to do His work on, in and through him. Each day he looked just a little bit more like Jesus. His actions looked a little bit more like Jesus’. His words sounded a little bit more like Jesus. His thoughts began to model Jesus’ thoughts.

And I can’t move on here without saying that Peter had seen Jesus at work. In the midst of the healing Jesus was doing in this area, Peter’s own mother-in-law had been healed by the Great Physician just a few days before. Peter knew. All it took was a gentle nudge from the Master to make this remarkable change in this man. And don’t believe for a minute that Jesus isn’t able do the same in you and me.

So this is what this journey is about. For each of us to look a little bit more like Jesus each day. One step at a time. One word at a time. One action at a time. One thought at a time.

The question I will leave with you today is, “Will you let Jesus into your boat?”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna