Scripture Reflections

Each church season offers a unique “movement of the soul,” a particular way of growing in grace. The movement of the soul Epiphany offers is not something we do, but instead something we receive. In Epiphany, we receive a revelation of God’s character in the person of Jesus Christ. Do we see him clearly? Do we receive him? To that end…

On Sunday, we will hear Luke 5:1-11. Though many might not remember the reference, the story is familiar:

Jesus is teaching near the water and the crowds are getting dense and hard to manage. Peter, Andrew, James, and John (all of whom already know Jesus) are on the shore, washing and repairing their nets after a terrible night of fishing. They must have been exhausted, frustrated, and more than a little bit worried, because their families were depending on them! At this point, Jesus asks Peter for the use of his boat, so that he can sit a few yards offshore and teach without getting pushed into the water by the crowd. No doubt Peter was tired, but John the Baptist had told Andrew that Jesus was the Lamb of God (What in the world did John mean?), and so it seemed imprudent to say, “no.” So Peter got back in the boat and took the oars out, nodding off in the sunlight as he tried to listen to Jesus.

But then the quiet command came. “Go out deeper, and let down your nets.” We can imagine Peter thinking, “Carpenters! Since when do they know how to fish? In the middle of the day, with this net, on that spot on the lake? I haven’t done something that pointless since the time my dad let me fish alone when I was 12!”

We know the end of the story: With his nets bursting, calling for help, Peter falls at Jesus’ feet, crying out that he is unworthy, full of sin, and Jesus should find someone more deserving. As they sorted and stored fish all afternoon, the whole incident must have run through his mind, over and over.

We want God to work on our timetables, to show up when we are prepared, but Peter’s story reveals that this isn’t always (usually?) the case. Peter was tired, frustrated, and worried, but that was exactly when Jesus stepped into his morning. He could have pushed him away (“Ask John! Can’t you see I’m busy?”), but instead, he said yes. At a moment when he was totally unprepared, completely unworthy, Jesus arrived.

So it is for us, if our eyes are open to see it. In the midst of frustrating and wearisome moments, days when our sin is heavy on our hearts, Jesus arrives. Reminders of his forgiveness, tastes of his kindness, the peace of his Spirit—he arrives to those who are weary, worn out, and worried. But how many times do we fail to see it? Our need itself—the exhaustion, the self-loathing, the worry—often blinds our eyes.

May Peter’s story be a lesson to us! Our God surprises us when we aren’t expecting him and comes to those who don’t deserve him. May our eyes be open to see!

Steven+