Have you tried and tried everything you know and it hasn’t worked?Have you worked hard, but the result is not there? That’s what was happening when Jesus called his first disciples in Luke 5:4-11 below:

“When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break… they…filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

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

It is interesting how Simon (later called Peter) answers Jesus. Peter was an expert fisherman. He had fished all night. He knew there was, in a sense, “no chance” of catching anything. But Peter obeys, saying, “because you say so”.

That is our first step, isn’t it? Obedience. If Peter had not obeyed, if he had answered, like some of my teenagers at times (I am sure yours never did!) where they would not do it, or worse, argued with even the prospect of it, then, Peter would not have seen the miracle. He would not have received what God had for him at that moment, and perhaps, if he continued disobeying, he would not have seen what God had for him later in life. Instead, in obeying, he receives more than he could ever imagine! Ultimately, that is what awaits all of us! Awestruck by the miracle and realizing who Jesus was, Peter recognizes our state of sinfulness compared to a Holy God. Starting with the words, “Don’t be afraid…”, Jesus calls his first disciples, Peter and his partners, James and John. Their response? They leave everything and follow Him! Aren’t we glad they did? Their choice impacted lives of people then, our lives today and lives for eternity. So we can learn from Peter to obey, confess sin, and follow Him!

Is Jesus calling you today?