When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:8-11

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/ece-devotions/20250210ECME.mp3

Oh, to have the confidence of a four-year-old! I can do it! I already know that! Watch me (fill in the blank with whatever daring escapade they conceived that day)! You and I, on the other hand, may feel less secure. Am I doing enough? Am I reaching each child and helping them grow? How do I manage this latest discipline issue? Am I the right person to help these little children of God grow in faith and love?

Simon Peter experienced these same doubts. He even told Jesus to leave him because “I am a sinful man!” Peter had just seen Jesus do what he and his fishermen friends had been unable to do all night. And Jesus was successful to the extreme: there were so many fish that their nets began to break. Peter realized that he just didn’t measure up. And neither do we. We sin daily, making mistakes, saying the wrong things, failing to do what we need to do. We groan with Peter, “I am sinful.”

Jesus knew. He knew Peter was sinful. He knew Peter’s sins, past, present, and future. Yet he gave Peter the directive to fish for people, sharing God’s Word with them. Even after Peter denied even knowing Jesus, God had work for him to do.

Peter’s work started with a word of comfort. “Do not be afraid” Peter had much to fear from his sinfulness, but standing before him, calling him, was his Savior, Jesus. Peter did not have to be afraid because in Jesus all his unworthiness was washed clean.

Jesus knows you too. He knows your faults and weaknesses, and he calls you anyway. Feed his sheep. Feed his lambs.

Jesus didn’t leave his disciples on their own with the vital work of spreading the gospel message. Before he ascended to heaven he promised them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Just ten days later the Holy Spirit caused 3,000 people to come to faith after hearing the disciples on that first Pentecost. We may not be speaking to thousands, but our little ones and their families get to hear and see Jesus’ love through our words and actions. The Holy Spirit guides us sinful, imperfect people daily. He does not fail.

And so, Peter went. “They pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” These undeserving fishermen followed Jesus. They learned from him, witnessed his miracles, saw his sacrifice, and gloried in his resurrection. Jesus used them to go throughout the world speaking about what they had seen and heard. We have Jesus’ words too. We read and study God’s Word so that we can share the precious Gospel message in our classrooms, homes, and neighborhoods. Jesus chose you. You can be confident of that.

Prayer: