Into the Deep

Henry Ossawa Tanner, Miraculous Haul of Fish

As we gather for worship at Seneca Presbyterian Church this Sunday, it will be our turn to enter the story. We have followed the narrative of God’s great story of salvation through the Hebrew Scriptures and into the Gospels. Last week, Jesus entered the scene as we “hit the red letters.” This week, Jesus calls his first disciples, and whenever you see a disciple in any of the Gospels, you need to see us.

I've always loved this story even as I taught it to children in years gone by. We can thank Luke for including the miraculous catch of fish. Matthew and Mark don't. In their versions, Peter and his partners just "drop everything" and follow Jesus. Luke gives us something of a reason why. In Luke's story, we see the unexpected power of life with this One who calls us to follow.  

Once while working with this story for a children's teaching assignment, I was struck by the fact that Peter and those with him almost drown while hauling in that miraculous catch. That fact adds to the wonder of the story. Would you leave everything and follow someone who almost got you killed? It is a marvel, isn’t it? Consider this: Jesus had taken Peter from emptiness to abundance; from empty nets to nets full of fish. Perhaps the awe of the catch along with the power of the preaching were just too irresistible. Perhaps Peter knew that following this One – even if it meant dying - was truly the only way to find life.

When our Wednesday evening study group looked at this text, we were drawn to: "they left everything and followed him." What did that actually mean for Peter and his partners? How much of a risk was it? And if this story is about us, does Jesus ask us to “leave everything” and follow him?

What is Jesus asking us to leave behind? 

• Our security?
• Our family?
• Our identity?
• Our dreams?
• Our understanding of how the world works?

And what does He offer in return?

• A holy calling
• A new and expanded family
• A new name: Child of God
• A vision of God’s kingdom
• An understanding of the way God’s world works

 Just what do you think?