The Plan

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God's word, He was standing by lake Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). He saw two boats at the edge of the lake, the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from land. Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch."

"Maser," Simon replied, we've worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at your word, I'll let down the nets." When they did this they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear.

So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and 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, because I am a sinful man, Lord!" For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they took, and so were James and John, Zebedee's sons, who were Simon's partners.

"Don't be afraid, " Jesus told Simon. "From now on you will be catching people!" Then they brought the boat to land, left everyhing, and followed Him. Luke 5:1-11

Again the crowd were pressing for what they wanted. Jesus remove a himself in a boat, out from shore and sits to speak. Jesus had another agenda. As he was speaking He was laying the foundation for a call to His future disciples who would believe and follow Him: Peter, Andrew, James and John.

First He preached the word, the He performed a miracle for them, then He asks them to leave everything and follow Him.

I find Peter's initial response so true to form, :" leave me Lord for I am a sinful man!" He saw himself unworthy, yet he was about to embark on a journey that would teach Him: Grace is unearned but freely given by a gracious, loving God.