Luke 5: 4-11
A weekday morning devotional series written by Aaron Marcarelli and hosted by Chad McBeam
“Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, to the point that they were sinking. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.”
Luke 5:4-11 NASB2020
I love this story of how Jesus began to gather His disciples. Simon (Peter)and his brother Andrew had been fishing all night and caught nothing. This is not fishing with a pole, catching one fish at a time, hanging out and having fun. This was their livelihood and it was backbreaking hard work. If they did not catch fish they could not sell them at the market and pay taxes to Caesar.
When Jesus asks Simon to throw down the nets again, Peter is a little miffed and perturbed and he really does not want to do what Jesus asks, yet he relents and…boom God gives Peter, Andrew, James, John and Zebedee blessings as well.
Then in my opinion one of the most pure scenes of the Bible takes place. Peter knows that Jesus could be Messiah and he humbled himself and says to Jesus:
“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” The Biblical series called the Chosen in episode 4 season 1 depicts this scene so well. They have told Peter’s backstory in the previous episodes and that makes this scene an even more incredibly moving scene. (If y’all have not seen the series I would highly recommend it).
We should act like Peter when God works miracles in our lives. Humble ourselves for God’s mercies are new every morning. “The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23…
The greatest miracle God worked was the free gift of perfect grace. Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection and ascension. We don’t deserve it. We don’t deserve any of the blessings we have. God is awesome and we get to be blessed because of Him and His incredible perfect love.
Years go by so fast and we have so much to be thankful for. Yes, we have gone through so much that is challenging in the past few years, but God’s mercies are new every morning and He continues to bless us with more, even in the midst of our struggles. Let’s be more like Peter and humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift us up. Remember Psalms 40 versus 1-2 “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He reached down to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud; And He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.”
Lord we humble ourselves for you have heard our cry and lifted us up out of the muck and mire of sin and despair. You have set our feet upon the rock, which is your grace and mercy which you gave us at the cross. Thank you Lord for loving us. Help us to spread your gospel message through your perfect love and to trust in you always. In Jesus Name we pray Amen…
Shalom blessings and Press in and Press On!