TEXT (Luke 5: 8 - 11) (NIV)

 

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.



​COMMENTARY



The scene is almost amusing.  One moment Peter is asking Jesus to leave him alone, the next he is leaving all that he has been and all that he has worked for to follow Jesus. This began with the realization of who Jesus really is and a recognition that the God who could bring in the great catch of fish is the God who could change the circumstances of their lives.

 

Worship is like that, that deep awe-filled recognition that God is in charge and a humble acceptance of it. It is that deep recognition that God has a better and more powerful life for us, if we would bow our knees to Him. While He may take us from what we are doing and  how we may define ourselves, He will in so doing take us to a new purpose, one that fulfills that for which we were designed in the first place.  

 

So Peter leaves his stuff behind that He may gain something better. This is in the tradition of Abraham. Worship demands us leaving everything behind, the surrender of everything so that we may embrace Jesus.



Something to Meditate on:

Worship flows out of a willingness to leave everything behind in pursuit of God.

 

A decision I need to make:

Have I been worshiping?