“A Mission In Life”

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. John 15:8-11

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus was teaching a large crowd of people on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The people were pressing up against Jesus, making it difficult for Him to teach. So, He asked Simon Peter if He could use his boat to better address the crowd.

Simon Peter took Jesus a little way offshore and Jesus sat down and finished His message. Then He told Simon Peter to put out into deep water and let down his nets for a catch. Jesus was about to do a miracle that would transform Simon Peter’s life.

Simon Peter, being an expert fisherman, wasn’t too sure about Jesus’ request. But even though he was an expert, he hadn’t managed to catch any fish all night. So, he obeyed Jesus.

As soon as he lowered his nets, they were filled with fish. So many fish in fact, that the nets were about to break from the weight of the fish. So, he called his fishing partners, James and John, for help. They brought their boat out to Simon Peter, and they filled both boats with fish. The boats were so full that they were about to sink.

After they managed to get their boats back to shore, Simon Peter got out and fell at the knees of Jesus. Full of amazement at the miracle he had just witnessed, he cried out:

“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

First Simon Peter calls Jesus as Lord, which was like calling Jesus God. Then Simon Peter confesses to Jesus that he is a sinner. And Jesus responds by giving Simon Peter a new mission in life that will change him forever:

“Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” 

From that time forth, Simon Peter would devote his life to bringing other people to Jesus. We’re told at the end of this passage:

When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Jesus has given each of a mission in life. This mission is one of the ways Jesus is transforming us into people who are like Him.

Whenever we are given an opportunity to serve the Lord, it is so we can cooperate with Jesus as He is making us into people like Him. Jesus is not dependent on us to accomplish His plans for the world. Jesus can get things done without the help of anyone. However, Jesus allows us to join Him in His work, for our sake.

In Christ,

Pastor David