Scripture: Luke 5:8-11
-When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Observations: Although Jesus says “Do not be afraid”, there was a healthy recognition by Simon’s part to realize who Jesus was. When Simon recognized who Jesus was he recognized who he was, a sinful man. You see, Simon, a professional fishermen, knew there were no fish in those waters, he had just spent hours the night before navigating them. Simon wasn’t recognizing Jesus as some fantastic fishermen he recognized Him as a miracle maker, as Lord. Simon saw that Jesus was someone who was worthy of dropping everything and following.
Applications: I believe a healthy recognition of Jesus results in a healthy recognition of ourselves. Our culture saturates us with messages of worthiness and entitlement to the point where it’s hard to give Jesus the worthiness and entitlement He deserves and demands. If Simon never had this “woah is me” moment I think he’d still be fishing. You see that moment led him to action, to drop everything and follow someone who is more worthy than his own agenda. Do we see Jesus for the worth that He is? Do our lives reflect His worth or our worth? Recognize Jesus this week.
Prayer: Lord forgive me for being obsessed with my own needs, my own worth and my own agenda. Show me this week how worthy you are. Let me joy and worth come from giving you glory. Amen