February 10, 2019 Text: Luke 5:1-11
Dear Friends in Christ,
What are things that you find hard to do, especially on a daily basis? For me I have two and they occur within the first few moments of my day. I find it hard to get out of bed, I like my sleep and I find it hard to get out of the shower. If it were socially acceptable a half hour shower would be the norm. What do you find hard to do?
For the Apostle Peter what he found hard to do on daily basis was to not be so reactionary. He reacted to Jesus saying he was going to be betrayed by telling him it would never happen. The Lord had to tell him “he had in mind the things of men not of God.” Peter reacted to Jesus’ betrayal by cutting off the servant’s ear. Peter reacted to Jesus’ trial by denying him three times. Poor Peter. But Jesus also used this wonderful evangelist in many and various ways. He built his church upon Peter – the rock. Peter is the first called disciple. Peter gave the great sermon in Acts. Like us Peter is a dichotomy. He’s human with all the twists and turns, ups and down, sinner and saint.
Like Isaiah being called in our Old Testament Reading this morning is about the calling of the first disciples. We will weave the story through the title . . .
“PETER OUT”
Where do we derive the etymology for the phrase “Peter Out?” Most dictionaries relate it to the mining profession and its association with saltpeter – potassium nitrate. As the miners would get tired they would “peter out.”
The disciple Peter could “peter out” on Jesus at times. Remember when he tried to walk on water? As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine, once he took his eyes away from the Savior – he sank. Sometimes following Jesus was hard for Peter and the other disciples so they would “peter out,” lose their trust and lose their confidence. Is he really the Lord?
Do we ever “peter out?” Do we lose trust and confidence in Jesus our Savior? Once the waves and storms come at us do we become distracted? Do we begin to doubt God’s guidance and wisdom in our lives? During pain and loss, do we doubt whether He really cares? Our confidence wanes, we peter out.
We need a rescue. This is where the phrase “peter out” takes a turn. While Peter had his faults, he also possessed a wonderful faith. When Jesus called it was Peter, out, as he immediately joined the army of the King of Kings. He left behind his livelihood in order to follow the Messiah. Out of the boat, into the mission. But how did it happen?
Peter is in his boat fishing. Along comes Jesus and he starts giving fishing instructions. Ever do this with someone who is an expert on something? For us, it usually does not go well. But Peter knows a little bit about this guy giving the advice. This fella had changed water into wine. This interloper in the boat had healed Peter’s mother-in-law. This was no stranger. The men will listen. Jesus speaks – they obey. The catch is so great that Red Lobster and the Filet-O-Fish will be in abundance for days. There is joy, but also fear. Peter realizes whom he is in the presence of and he says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” It could be Peter out, Peter away, but it is not. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Peter is out of the boat and following Him.
In our sin, in the presence of God, which is always, we want to find a way out. We fear the wrath of our past and our future. But the Lord tells us not to fear. I am not angry. I did not come to condemn you. I’ll take care of your sin. I’ll make a way for you to be alive and live with me forever. The Lord allows us to have a healthy fear of Him. He tells you and I that He is nothing to be afraid of. Look, here is my Son, crucified for you. We leap out of our boat in joy.
Just like Peter and Isaiah the prophet, the Lord calls us out. He sends us to proclaim His Gospel message and to be of service to others. In the midst of our uncertainty and doubt and those times we “peter out,” we only need to remember that we are not alone in our journey. We have the Trinity the Three-In-One walking with us. The Father of all grace and mercy, The Son who redeemed us from our sins, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and keeps us in the faith. So keep walking in His strength. Keep proclaiming with His voice. Keep trusting that God is with you every step of the way. Peter Out? I don’t think so. Even the Apostle knew that. He kept the faith until the end. May we do the same as the Lord leads.
Amen.