Luke 5:8-11New International Version (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.
At first glance, one might think this was Peter's first encounter with Jesus. If we are concentrating on Luke 5 and not what came before, it might seem Jesus called Simon Peter, James and John out of the blue. But, Jesus had been around for a while. John the Baptist preached of this man, "the one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie," and if Peter did not meet him before, he likely of heard of him.
The town must have been buzzing with stories of the man who preaches in the synagogues, quoting from the Book of Isaiah; this prophet who healed and drove out evil spirits. It is likely Simon Peter and the others knew of Jesus before the day they left everything and followed.
It is just that this day was the turning point for these men. Can you identify with a turning point moment? Have you experienced one day time when you just knew things were going to be different; you were going to be different.
Life-changing events are forever engrained in our hearts and minds. I can recall the moment I knew I needed more in my life than what was currently happening. There have been moments since when similar emotions caused a day to stand out from others as important - some monumental.
All the miracles Simon knew of before this day, paled when Jesus reached directly in Simon Peter's life and grabbed hold of him. When Simon Peter fell to Jesus' knees and called him LORD, he recognized Jesus' identity. He could do no less than drop everything and follow.
How many of us experienced a moment like this? Does anyone care to share? Our stories can make the difference in someone else's life.
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