by Pastor Rich Carlson

One day, so many people were following Jesus, eager to hear Him speak, that He was forced to borrow Simon Peter’s boat. He rowed out into the lake so He could preach from there (Luke 5:1-3). 

Knowing that Peter, James, and John were all fisherman, after His sermon Jesus requested that Peter catch some fish. “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch,” Jesus said (verse 4).

In response to Jesus telling him how to fish, Peter replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (verse 5).

The next two verses show the results of following Jesus’ instructions. “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink” (verses 6-7).

Peter, amazed and convicted by the miracle, fell at Jesus’ feet and told Him, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (verse 8). Peter started following in just the way he needed to—by acknowledging that he did not deserve to be one of the followers. 

But Jesus would have no part of the fisherman’s argument. Jesus told Peter that He would prepare His followers for a great work if they were willing to give up their greatest earthly security—in Peter’s case, fishing—and follow Him.

It was a big decision. Peter needed to decide—half way or all the way? Complete commitment or only when convenient?

And the conclusion of the story? “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him” (verse 8). 
I wonder if we have “boats” that need to be pulled out of commission, boats that are distracting us from hearing God’s call. And I wonder if we have anything that we need to be willing to leave behind, so that we, too, can follow Jesus.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.