Fish, sword, rooster, fire. Those are just a few of the words that might come to mind when you think of the man you and I are going to get to know this week!
Peter was passionate. He was always going whole hog, never half. He experienced crazy highs and lows. He scraped his knees spiritually over and over again, but he always got back up. And the part of this story that is so special is that Jesus loved Peter when he was getting it wrong, and when he was getting it right. It’s the same with you and me, and that’s why I’m super excited to go on this journey with you. The road is going to get rocky at times, but there’s a sign post ahead. It says, Hope this way.
Let’s dive in!
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Transcription:
Fish, sword, rooster, fire. Those are just a few of the words that might come to mind when you think of the man you and I are going to get to know this week on the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, and I’m so glad you’re here. Peter was a fisherman by trade when Jesus came and rocked the boat of his life with just two words: Follow me. He did take a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant the night Jesus was arrested in the garden. He denied that he even knew Jesus before the rooster crowed three times, just as our Lord predicted at least once as he warmed himself by a fire. And yet, this is the same man who would be the first leader of the church. Who would die for his faith, who asked to be crucified upside down because he refused to die in the same manner as his Lord.
He wasn’t the man who stood next to that fire, warming himself, afraid to even admit that he was friends with Jesus, because he didn’t want to die a grizzly death. No, he was the new man. And that right there is something that I hope will inspire you this week as we study his life. Peter was passionate. He was always going whole hog, never half. He experienced such crazy highs and lows. He scraped his knees spiritually over and over again, but he always got back up. And the part of this story that is so special is that Jesus loved Peter when he was getting it wrong, and when he was getting it right. It’s the same with you and me, and that’s why I’m super excited to go on this journey with you. The road is going to get rocky at times, but there’s a sign post ahead. It says, Hope this way. At the end of every episode, I’m going to be sharing a snippet of one of Peter’s letters in the Bible. Because in between the time when Peter denies Jesus and the time he’s writing inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Bible, something happened. And my prayer is that our faith will grow right alongside Peters. So are you ready? Let’s go. Our journey begins 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. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, it’s owner, to push it out into the water.
Note here, Peter was not his original name. His original name was Simon. So here we go. We’re going to see Jesus and Simon interact for the first time.
So he sat in the boat,
Jesus did.
and taught the crowds from there. 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. 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. And this time, their nets were so full of fish, they began to tear. 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. 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. For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
I love that last name.
were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, don’t be afraid. From now on you’ll be fishing for people. And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
What an awesome story. Do you ever wonder what happened to all of those fish? Because they left everything including that huge haul. What they witnessed and experienced that day changed their lives forever. And I’m also struck by how Peter fell to his knees and was like, you know what, Lord? I don’t know what’s going on here, but I don’t think you and I can be on the same team. I’m not good enough, Lord. And Jesus was saying to him, Uh uh, don’t you be afraid. I’m giving you a new life beginning today. It starts now. Follow me. And Peter followed him. That is so significant to me. The fact that Peter has this reputation for doing things wrong. This was a moment in his life when he did the right thing, the bold thing, the courageous thing. It takes a lot to walk away from the family business, don’t you think? From the thing that is sure and certain? Absolutely. But Peter showed faith right from the beginning. It didn’t mean that he was going to get it right every time. And it doesn’t mean that you and I are going to get it right every time. There was a moment in my life where I invited Jesus into my heart. I said, yes, Lord, come into my heart. Wash me clean. I want to follow you. I know that you can forgive me of all of my sins. That was the moment I laid down the nets of my old life and followed Jesus into the great unknown. I said, yes, and I made good decisions after that, and I’ve messed up after that. But the key is that I decided to follow Jesus, and I haven’t stopped, and I won’t stop. And that is what counts. My mother-in-law used to say, there was only one perfect person who ever walked on this earth, and that was Jesus. But maybe right now you’re saying, Erica, you don’t know what I’ve done. I’ve messed up so many times. Well, let me encourage you with the words of Peter from his first letter in the Bible, chapter one, verse two.
God, the Father knew you and chose you long ago and his spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
I mean, those are the two things we need. Right? As we’re walking with Jesus. We need grace and peace and he gives both generously. Alright, until tomorrow, you are really loved.
Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.
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