By Marcia Hornok
Have we not all identified with Jesus’ disciple Peter at times? Impulsive, impetuous, independent-minded––and often, fearless. Yet, in Luke 5:10, Jesus told him not to be afraid. What occasioned that?
Peter had worked all night and caught nothing. In his career as a fisherman, that was devastating. No doubt Peter was discouraged and drained. He had cleaned his nets and clocked out. Then Jesus— the newbie in town—told him to go back and do it again.
What might have made Peter afraid?
- Fear of failure. He would exhaust himself and still catch nothing and look the fool.
- Fear of difficulty. Jesus told him to go to the deep. That meant lots of rowing.
- Fear of submitting. Making oneself vulnerable is a scary prospect. Why should he, a professional, surrender to a non-fisherman, anyhow?
- Fear of change. Something different might happen, outside Peter’s control.
Peter reacted by informing Jesus of the facts! “Master, I’ve been fishing all night, and believe me, there’s nothing out there.” I imagine Jesus’ kind eyes holding Peter’s gaze until Peter added the desired response: “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).
The result was a miracle catch—two boats so loaded with fish that they started to sink. Probably enough to support them for a long time as they followed Jesus.
As always, Jesus discipled His men. This time, His lesson was: “Don’t be afraid; from now on, you will fish for people.” Eventually, Peter became quite successful in that mission.
LET’S GO FISHING
Jesus disciples us through various means. He wants us to “let down our nets” and catch people we can help. Is it scary? For most of us, yes. Recently, two LDS missionary gals rang my doorbell. Surprisingly, they let me do most of the talking. However, when I tried to direct them to certain truths of Scripture, they said that the Bible may not be translated correctly. I invited them back to talk about the passages they had in mind.
On their second visit, I asked them why they had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That allowed me, in turn, to give my testimony. Then, as we conversed, I sent up constant prayers. Give me the right words. Control my attitude. Will I offend them if I say…? How should I answer that? It may not have been fear, but I was definitely insecure. I also feel that way every time I approach a room to teach an evangelistic Bible lesson. I am not good at fishing.
However, I do not have to be good at fishing, and feeling uncomfortable may even be healthy. I need to learn fishing skills, but my sufficiency is Christ. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves…but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). Depending on that, not myself, I can row into the deep, feeling nervous, but not afraid of what someone will think of me.
Peter’s first fishing lesson resulted in humility and amazement. “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken” (Luke 5:8-9).
Like Peter, we are not worthy to be in Christ’s presence, but He still wants us to forsake everything and follow Him (Luke 5:11). The fishing results are His doing. Our goal for those who land in our nets is that they be astonished at Jesus, not at us.
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Marcia is Ken’s grateful wife, serving with him in Utah where he pastored for 39 years where they raised six children. Now they enjoy 13 grandkids. Her latest work is a guilt-free Bible study of Proverbs 31.
