Mirrored in Jesus’ Light

As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret. 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 the 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.”

“Master,” 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 signaled 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’m 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 boats to land, left everything, and followed Him.
(Luke 5:1-11 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©)

Peter heard Jesus the Teacher instructing a crowd while he hosted Him in his boat. When he then obeyed Jesus and went fishing, He saw Jesus the Fisherman. Seeing this version of Jesus caused him to be able to see himself more clearly.

When John was baptizing Israelis in the Jordan, he could see their individual needs for baptism. He told them what they needed to repent from. When Jesus appeared in front of him, he saw Jesus the Baptizer, and saw his own need to be baptized (Matthew 3:14).

As you see Jesus doing the things that He has called you to participate with Him in, focus on His ability to work in you, not just your need and inability. Focus His call. Focus on Him succeeding, and join Him in the success. He chose you for it.