Jesus had 12 close friends when he walked this earth. And out of all of them, I relate to Peter the most. We’re kicking off the week discussing Peter’s life, failures, and commitment to Jesus, and especially how Jesus gave second chances. Jesus’ mercy is so beautiful. Today, no matter where you are or what you may have done, accept His love and forgiveness.
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Transcription:
Jesus had 12 close friends when he walked this earth. And out of all of them, I relate to Peter the most. Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. My name is Erica. I’m your host, and over the next two weeks, you and I are going to be riding the waves of Peter’s life. A fitting description, because when Jesus met him, he was a fisherman and Jesus told him, I’m going to make you a fisher of men. And I like the wave analogy because in Peter’s life there were so many highs and lows. But the thing I love about this man that we see over and over in scripture is that Peter was all in. Did he falter? He did. Did he fall down? He did. Did he fail? Absolutely. Sound familiar. I know, right? And what’s beautiful about Peter’s story is that we can see ourselves in it over and over.
Have you ever watched somebody else’s home movies? Maybe at your cousin’s house. You’re so much more interested in what’s on that screen if you know you might see yourself as a kid again. Right? That’s what I love about the adventure you and I are about to embark on over the next two weeks together. We are going to see ourselves in Peter’s story over and over. And the biggest takeaway I want to give you and that I want to receive myself is that the way Jesus treated Peter is the way He treats us. There is always another chance. There’s always new mercy. When you wake up in the morning, there’s always a chance to dust yourself off, take the Lord’s hand and stand back up strong. That’s the message that I pray and hope you download this week and next week as we study together. Okay. Without further ado, let’s dive in to Peter’s story. In Luke chapter five, beginning in verse one.
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
Quick note here, before Peter became Peter, and that’s a story we are going to get to this week. Peter’s name was Simon. God has a way of giving us new names when he writes new stories for us. Okay, verse four now.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Okay, this is amazing, isn’t it? Simon Peter left everything. Everything familiar and comfortable because something happened on that fishing trip. Something that changed the rest of his life. As I was preparing for our time together today, I noticed something that I don’t think I’ve ever noticed before. Do you remember when we read earlier how the boats were empty and Jesus filled the boats with fish? I believe that something else was empty in this story. Could it be that it was Peter’s heart? That there was an emptiness that nothing on this earth could fill, and Jesus was telling him, I am here to fill you. We learn in the gospels that Jesus is the bread of life, the living water, the light of the world. He is all of these things and so much more.
Perhaps Peter’s life was as empty as the boat, and just as Jesus filled the boat with fish, he was telling Peter, I can fill your soul. I can fill your heart with my love and my grace and with hope. Jesus is the God of hope. I believe I might be speaking with someone today who needs to hear that there is an aching in your soul and emptiness and nothing in this world has ever filled it. Oh my friend, let Jesus in. He is knocking on your door right now. He took Simon who was a fisherman and turned him into a fisher of men. Once you start walking with Jesus, he changes you in all the best of ways. You are still you, uniquely you, but the best version of you. You have Jesus with you. You have a friend who will never leave you. And do you notice Simon Peter’s reaction when he saw the miracle of the fish?
Oh Lord, please leave me. I’m a sinful man.
And maybe you feel like that right now. I want to speak the words of Jesus over you, the ones he spoke to, Simon Peter, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. Just say yes to Jesus. Accept the love and forgiveness that he offers you. That’s why he died on the cross for your sins and my sins. And then he opened the door to heaven so you could walk through. And he offers something else too. Peace and hope and a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Himself, here on this earth. Oh, Jesus can fill you to the brim like he filled those boats that were empty with fish. Trust him today. Alright, until next time, you are really loved.
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