Cling to the Supernatural

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

The Things of the Earth

Have you ever put all your trust in the natural?

You know what I mean, the things you see everyday? The routines, the schedules, the people...the natural things of this earth? 

Well, you are not alone. 

So did Simon Peter. 

On Sunday, our pastor went over Luke 5:1-11.

This is the part of Jesus' ministry when He calls Simon to be one of His disciples. 

I love this story because of all the people in the Bible, I relate most to Simon Peter. 

Sea of Galilee

The Natural

Simon is asked by Jesus to go back out into the Sea of Galilee and cast his nets into the deep part of the water. 

And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Simon responded by reminding Jesus that he and his fellow fishermen had been out all night fishing, as was the custom, and yet they caught nothing.

They had put their trust in the everyday schedule and routines. They put their trust in the natural...in what they saw everyday with their eyes. 

But because he respected the authority of the very words of Jesus, he obeyed and out to the lake they went. 

The Supernatural

And that's when Jesus showed them the Supernatural. 

 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

How did Simon react to what he saw?

As so many had reacted before him...with fear and trembling. 

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken...

The Amplified Bible states that the Greek words used for "astonished" mean "amazed, gripped in bewilderment...allied to terror."  Yes, TERROR at the sight of the Supernatural power of The One.

When confronted with the Power of God, Simon was stricken with his own guilt and confessed his sins immediately. Imagine him cowering in terror over in the corner of the boat trying to get away from The Holiness of God. 

How does Jesus respond?

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

Instantly, Simon and his partners, James and John, forgot the things of the world...the routines, the schedules, the boat, the fish, the nets, the money, the natural...and forsook all that they had to follow Him. 

Opened Eyes

Simon and the others left behind all they had ever known their entire lives. 

They walked away from the natural to follow the Supernatural. 

They let go of what they knew to follow the Unknown. 

...And their lives would never be the same again. 

Simon once relied on sight, then he learned to rely on faith. 

As I read through the verses this morning, I was struck by the message Jesus was speaking to me. 

"Do you still rely on the known?" He asked me.  "Do you still cling to the natural things of this world? The routines, the schedules, the boat, the net...

Are you ready to let go and trust in God fully? Are you ready to trust in the unknown?"

I prayed and asked God to forgive me for clinging to the things I know all too well. I asked Him to forgive me for not trusting. 

I prayed for faith and strength to cling to the Supernatural...the things of God...

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

For that's what it means to be His disciple. 

Your turn:  Are you clinging to the natural things of this world? What can you forsake in order to cling to the Supernatural?

Blessings,

Ruth