We are not given all the details of exactly how the calling of the first disciples took place. As with other aspect of our Lord's life and ministry, different Gospels give us different aspects and details of how Jesus called Peter and Andrew.
Today I read the Luke 5 account. Peter may have listened to Jesus teaching before this event. Peter may have seen Jesus perform miracles in Capernaum. However what Luke records is how Jesus needed a comfortable teaching position, so borrowed Simon Peter's fishing boat. I suspect there was an offshore breeze which made it easier for the crowd to hear our Lord's words.
When He finished teaching - you remember - Jesus said to the tired fisherman, "Take the boat out and throw out your nets." Peter responded with some reluctance; "We've been fishing all night and caught nothing. They aren't in this part of the lake right now. But if you say so, I'll do it."
When they miraculously catch more fish than they can handle - they have to call for another boat to help them with the catch - Peter's reaction is vulnerable and spontaneous (can't expect anything else from this blunt man). "Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8)
Peter sensed enough about Christ's greatness and his own unworthiness, to know he was no "great catch" for Jesus. What he didn't know was how Christ can see potential when others, and even the person himself, cannot see it.
We are pretty sure that Paul had the marks of greatness as he grew up and studied under the best of teachers. He just needed to be called, harnessed and shaped by Christ. But Peter? Only Jesus could have seen in him the man who would preach and see thousands respond. Only Jesus would know that this man Peter would courageously stand in front of powerful religious leaders who had recently killed His Lord, and defy them.
May God increase our sensitivity and insight so that we see the potential in others that Christ sees. May this be especially true for those of us who are older. As we watch younger people: who may not have done much yet; who may be easy to critique; may we instead have eyes to see their wonderful God given potential; And be their encouragers!
Today I read the Luke 5 account. Peter may have listened to Jesus teaching before this event. Peter may have seen Jesus perform miracles in Capernaum. However what Luke records is how Jesus needed a comfortable teaching position, so borrowed Simon Peter's fishing boat. I suspect there was an offshore breeze which made it easier for the crowd to hear our Lord's words.
When He finished teaching - you remember - Jesus said to the tired fisherman, "Take the boat out and throw out your nets." Peter responded with some reluctance; "We've been fishing all night and caught nothing. They aren't in this part of the lake right now. But if you say so, I'll do it."
When they miraculously catch more fish than they can handle - they have to call for another boat to help them with the catch - Peter's reaction is vulnerable and spontaneous (can't expect anything else from this blunt man). "Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8)
Peter sensed enough about Christ's greatness and his own unworthiness, to know he was no "great catch" for Jesus. What he didn't know was how Christ can see potential when others, and even the person himself, cannot see it.
We are pretty sure that Paul had the marks of greatness as he grew up and studied under the best of teachers. He just needed to be called, harnessed and shaped by Christ. But Peter? Only Jesus could have seen in him the man who would preach and see thousands respond. Only Jesus would know that this man Peter would courageously stand in front of powerful religious leaders who had recently killed His Lord, and defy them.
May God increase our sensitivity and insight so that we see the potential in others that Christ sees. May this be especially true for those of us who are older. As we watch younger people: who may not have done much yet; who may be easy to critique; may we instead have eyes to see their wonderful God given potential; And be their encouragers!
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