Sometimes, when we think about our relationship with God, we focus on how great He is and how small we are; how mighty He is and how weak we are. And with good reason; these things are true. God is the Creator of everything. There is such a gulf that exists between the Creator and His creation. He wills things to happen and without fail, they happen.
We see His fierce wrath in the Old Testament as He exacts vengeance on the nations whose iniquities are full. The New Testament says that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). These things and more paint a picture of a God who can be frightening. And for those who set their face against Him, He is terribly frightening.
But our God came to earth to live among His creation. And we see another side of Him that is just as real as His fierce strength and wrath. We see His matchless love. We see a God who heals and fixes the broken among His creation. We see a God who goes to the sinners because they need to be found. We see a God who eats with His friends and cries at their funerals.
And His relationship to Peter from start to finish always brings a tear to my eye when I read it. No novelist or screenwriter could have captured the emotion better than this real-life event. You remember when we first read about Peter and Jesus, don’t you?
“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.” (Luke 5:4-6 ESV).
What was Peter’s response?
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8 ESV).
A hardened fisherman who knew his trade realized that this Rabbi who controlled the fish was someone far beyond him. But over the years, Peter stayed faithful to Him. All the way to the end, Peter showed he was willing to die for Jesus. But in a moment of weakness, he faltered and denied his Lord as Jesus was taken into custody before His crucifixion.
“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61-62 ESV).
Yet unlike Judas, Peter repented. And after the resurrection, this fisherman was wholly committed to his Lord and God. But here is where I shed a tear each time I read the passage. Peter and the others decide to go fishing. They had fished all night with no luck. Then a man calls to them from the shore. If you are sentimental, get ready…
“Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.” (John 21:5-8 ESV).
And so, the relationship between Peter and Jesus is bookended with the Creator of all sending this fisherman another miraculous catch of fish. Instead of telling Jesus to depart from him because he was a sinful man, this time, Peter rushed toward his Savior.
When we consider God’s awesome glory and power, we want to drop to our knees and tell Him to depart from us, because we are sinners. But as we grow in our relationship with Him; grow in our love for Him, we start to rush to Him. Yes, He is powerful. Yes, He is frightening. But our God is a sentimental God who deeply loves us. And He is a God who will keep us clean and in the hollow of His hand as He showers us with unspeakable love.
God gave us our relationships, not just for our needs here on earth, but with eternity in mind. We all are created to be with Him forever in heaven. Let's do what we can to share the good news of the Gospel to help others end up where they are meant to be, and let us be the encourager- not the stumbling block- in helping the people we know arrive safely where they were created to be.
If I want to enjoy God's grace, I need to be generous in the grace I extend to others. We give it, not when someone deserves it, but especially when they don't deserve it, just like God does with me.
Do you know what comfort I find when I read that Jesus notices the widow who gives her two mites and the publican who prays for God to be merciful to him, a sinner? I find it comforting that no one falls through the cracks with Jesus. He knows even the slightest things we do, for good or bad.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31 ESV).
A thought to ponder... Is it more likely that there is something wrong spiritually in my life if I am undergoing some persecution or if things are always going well for me? Perhaps I need to rethink the way I react to my circumstances. Just thinking out loud...
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV).
I live firmly in the grace of God. Nothing can separate me from His love. I will live with the confidence of a prince and the humility of a servant.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” (John 1:12 ESV).