I never tire of reading stories about interactions of people with Jesus. I'm once more meditating on Luke. For a humorous story try Zechariah's disbelief --and how he was mute for 9 months while his wife was pregnant. Loved that one.
This week I read about Peter and Jesus...and I thought of three possible titles for this story: Talking Back to the Son of God; Awestruck by Fish; or Scared Spitless.
Jesus had already started to draw large crowds as He spoke. When people met Him, they went and told someone else about the experience. Early on, there were so many folks, it was hard to preach and teach to all of them at once...no sound system...no crowd control.
So Jesus asked Peter (Simon Peter was his whole name) to borrow a boat so he could get some space to be able to speak to them. When He was done teaching, Jesus told Peter - let's go out fishing.
Peter had been fishing all night, but the fish weren't biting, and he told Jesus as much. Perhaps Peter thought, "What does a carpenter know about professional fishing anyway?" Peter just stated a fact. Then I imagine Peter glancing up as he explained the depressing state of fishing that day. He saw the twinkle in Jesus' eyes, and the smile on His face, and Peter stammered, "But if you say so..."
When the Son of God says so...well, it's gonna' be good.
Peter and his brother hauled in so many fish, they had to call their partners to help them. And Peter is awestruck! Suddenly, he realizes what has happened. He's just seen a very strange miracle. It wasn't about healing someone who was blind or lame. It wasn't about touching a leper or a deaf child. Jesus could catch fish!
Peter is suddenly scared spitless and he turns to Jesus and says: Please go away - I'm too much of a sinner to be around YOU.
So, what's catching fish have to do with being a sinner? Wouldn't you imagine Peter inviting Jesus to fish with them EVERY DAY from now on? Instead, Peter is afraid of Jesus' power.
How many times do we flounder because we're afraid of a loving, powerful God, who wants to shower us with blessings, peace, joy, and fulfillment?
