Rev Francisco BilogLuke 5:1-11
Lenten Season gives every Christian, like us, an opportunity to make a spiritual check-up on our life. Sometimes we use Biblical characters to become measurement whether we are doing well or lagging behind.
Let us consider the life of one of the saints of long ago, Simon called Peter. Of course I know you are familiar with the life of Peter. Let us have a flash back.
Peter first met the Lord when he was brought to him by Andrew. There looking intently at Peter, Jesus named him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John, but you will be called Cephas, meaning Peter.”
The first time Jesus called Peter was when he was with his brother Andrew fishing. Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show how to fish for people.” And they left their nets and followed him.
The second time that Jesus called Peter is described by our Gospel reading today. Jesus was preaching on the seas shore that day. For convenience and effective communication he needed a pulpit and seeing an empty boat owned by Peter he used it as a stage. When he finished preaching he asked Peter to go on fishing on the deeper part of the sea. Peter said, “we have fished all night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, we’ll try again.” They were amazed to catch so much fish that filled two boats. Peter this time fell on his knees and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I am too much a sinner to be around you.” Jesus replied to Peter, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing people.” Soon, when Andrew and Peter landed they left everything and followed Jesus.
The life and experienced of Peter between the first and second call by Jesus, reveals also many of our crisis of faith today. Peter was a commercial fisherman. Fishing is a respected profession. He loves his work and fishing is also a very lucrative investment. At first when Jesus called him, Peter gladly left his nets and followed Jesus. It took only a few months for Peter to missed the work that he loved. The lure of the challenged in fishing and the thousands of money he earns become so strong that he left the group of Jesus and return to his old work of fishing fish. Is this not a familiar picture of many of us? We hear the call of the Lord and we respond with enthusiasm and follow the Lord as he led us. Then their comes a time in our life when our work and or profession demands even the little time that we have for the Lord.
The farmers in the Philippines normally harvest their rice twice a year. During one outdoor evangelistic services a man asked the preacher, whether it is good for him to join a group who planned to harvest rice the following Sunday. By taking such an opportunity he will be able to provide money for his
family. The preacher answered, if you are Muslim or a member Seventh day Adventist by all means go and harvest. But if you are a Methodist Christian then fulfill your date with Jesus on Sunday in church. Like this farmer, Peter and many of us needs to put our priorities in order. Peter decided his pleasure and work comes first before this man Jesus.
When Jesus called him the second time, his words revealed his regrets of giving more importance and priority to his own personal agenda than that of the Lord. “Oh Lord, get away from me, I am too much a sinner to be around you.” The Lord gave him a second chance. “Don’t be afraid! From now own you’ll be fishing men.”
From then on Peter served the Lord with all energy and dedication. Let us follow Peter as he walks with the Lord toward Jerusalem. Peter soon became the acknowledged leader of the 12 disciples. He became one of the inner circle of Jesus. A privilege given only to a few. He has made it his goal to protect the good and welfare of Jesus. So when Jesus revealed to the disciples that soon they will reached Jerusalem, where the religious leaders will reject him, he will suffer many terrible things from their hands. He would be killed and three days later he would rise again.” Right then and their Peter took him aside and began to correct Jesus that he should not say things like that.” Peter in clear conscience was motivated by his love of Jesus. He believe it is not good for Jesus to risk his life in Jerusalem. He could go to Jerusalem other times. Jesus however sternly rebuked him and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are just seeing things in the human point of view not from God’s.” Mark 8: 31-35). Peter was stunned! All he is concerned with is for the welfare of Jesus! What went wrong was that in his love for Jesus he urged him to reject the cross that awaits Jesus in the Jerusalem. Of course you know the implication if Jesus followed the advised of Peter, there would be no sacrifice for the salvation of mankind.
Many times, too, in our zealousness to serve the Lord, there are times even if we see it clearly that it is good, our thoughts we contravene the will of the Lord in our life, family as well as the church. So Jesus said, that we should set aside our selfish ambition, shoulder our cross and follow him.”
How well did these words of Jesus registered in Peter, could be seen in his declaration of his loyalty when he said: “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” (Luke 22:33). These are brave and strong words. Words of faith, and affirmation of loyalty can be tested with the realities of life. In the face of danger and great possibility of persecution to death, Peter’s declaration of faith faltered, he denied any association with Jesus three times. He rejected the cross, the same cross he advised Jesus to reject. When Peter realized what he has done for his Lord and have seen that he failed in his faith, “he left the courtyard crying bitterly. (Luke 22:61).
The wonder of Easter brought Jesus face to face with Peter. The Love and grace of Jesus was revealed in their meeting. There was no mention of Peter’s
denial of Jesus nor remembrance of his failure when Jesus needed him most. The Lord however, opened to him the opportunity and blessing of a second chance. He asked Peter three time if he loved him. Why three times, that could be the subject of another sermon. But the fact it is one thing to say you love Jesus but the real test is the willingness to serve him. Peter had repented, and here Jesus was asking him to commit his life. Each time Jesus asked the question, “do you love me” Peter had to face his true feelings and motives. Peter grasped the door and blessing of another chance to serve the Lord. He humbly replied, “You know Lord I love you” “You know Lord I love you.” And for the third time he said, “Lord, you know every thing. You know I love you.”
Peter’s affirmation was an emotional declaration from the heart, but full of faith and love. It was tested and came out victorious. He was crucified and died for his Lord.
The wonderful about the saints like Peter is that they were humans. The lost their tempers, got angry, scolded God, were egoistic or testy or impatient in their turns, jealous and made mistakes and regretted them. Still they went on determinedly blundering toward heaven. How did the saints like Peter differ from the rest of us? Precisely this, that everyday they determinedly seized their second chanced and had the courage to make a new beginning.
The life of a serious Christian is one of constant beginning, many of them false start, of repeated lapses, sometimes so discouraging we hardly have the heart to start. However, we must remember this very important lesson today, Christians falter at times, but when they return to Jesus, he forgives them and strengthens their faith.
We may find ourselves failing our Lord as we continue the process of our spiritual check-up. However, he comes to us this Lenten season and may talk to us face to face, giving us another chance to re-affirm our faith, asking: “Do you love me? Brother/sister, do you really love Jesus? Are even his friend? Say it! Then do it! Amen and Amen for you!