When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”

Luke 5:8.

They knew the sea and were skillful at what they did as experienced fishermen. A whole night without a catch, they stood at the shore, mending their nets, and disappointed. Why should they pay any attention to the carpenter from Nazareth? Peter and his associates could pride themselves with their knowledge of the waters on which they had plied their trade all their lives. So, they could have said, “Why not go do some roofing or put some furniture together, Mr. Carpenter?” But Peter did not protest.

“But because you say so, I will let down the net” (5).

Peter had earlier experienced the uniqueness of the man his brother Andrew had introduced him to as the Messiah (Jn. 1:41-42). It was not a casual visit. The Lord pronounced a life-changing blessing upon Peter. 

“You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas,” which translated means Peter. 

So, Peter had a rudimentary idea about the man who instructed him to push back into the deep and let down his nets for a catch. But this meeting was different. Something supernatural was breaking before Peter, and astonished, he surrendered to the experience. 

Two boats were sinking under the weight of their catch when Peter obeyed the simple instruction from the Carpenter from Nazareth. The wonder of wonders! The glory of the Lord broke out upon the fishermen at the shores of Lake Gennesaret, and they would never be the same.

How does a mere human like Peter respond to such majesty? Sin revealed, conscience-stricken, convicted to the core! What could Simon Peter do but to bow in worship and surrender? 

“Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!” (8). 

His entire life was sinking like the two boats right before him, and a novel way of living was opening to him. The Master calls. And how could he decline Christ’s life-altering invitation?

Have you encountered the majesty of God in a similar situation before? Has your ‘boat’ sunk under the weight of God’s revealing power in Christ Jesus? Have you ever encountered the glory of the Lord in your walk with Him before? Do you see your sinfulness laid bare undeniably in your daily Bible reading? Why not fall on your knees before His majesty with upraised hands to Him who sits on the throne above with all power and authority in all creation—Jesus Messiah?  

Leave your net and boat at the shore where God has met you. See His glory in the face of Jesus and come, follow Him into His kingdom. It is a new and exciting life that never ends—not here, nor yonder.