Reflecting on Luke 5:1-11
"Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8)
"Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people." (Luke 5:10)There is a quote from David, Israel’s greatest king, that seems to fit here.
“You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:17)
Peter realizes he is in the presence of a God-anointed man.
Only God could help someone to do what this man just did.
In this moment, Peter senses God present through this man, and is afraid.
He is aware that he is not what he should be, who God wants him to be.
In the presence of Jesus, his own heart is revealed for what it is.
I believe this is what happens to all people when they encounter Jesus.
Something within them – shame, guilt, unholiness – is triggered.
When this happens, one of two things will happen.
A person will look for a way to blame or justify themselves.
Or a person will be honest, and will plead their unworthiness.
Jesus still does this to a person when they meet Him.
If we are honest, we can all admit our inadequacy and imperfection.
We don’t like to do this, especially when those around us make us feel bad.
We all have experienced the same tendency as Adam and Eve.
When their shame was exposed, Adam and Eve resorted to hiding and blame.
We go into protection mode, going on either the offensive or defensive.
This can also be described as fight or flight.
Peter does not justify or blame, but he does want to get away from Jesus.
“Go away from me, Lord…”
Protection mode is the worst thing we can do in these moments.
Our best response is not to fight or to flee, but to surrender.
To make ourselves vulnerable, to be open and honest.
Because God does not reject a broken and repentant heart.
Rather, this is the kind of person God needs to serve Him.
Think of Isaiah when he encounters God in the temple.
“‘Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’ Then one of the angels flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people…'” (Isaiah 6:5-9)
Isaiah admits his guilt and shame, and God cleanses him.
Then God commissions him to be His messenger.
This is what Jesus does when Peter admits his guilt and shame.
Jesus pardons him, and commissions him to be His messenger.
God and Jesus already know us inside out, how we really are.
There is no sense pretending to be something we are not.
God and Jesus are looking for people willing to be real, to be honest.
Our weaknesses and imperfections are what qualify us for grace.
Grace can only be received by someone who admits their need for it.
Which is why sinners responded so well to Jesus.
And why self-righteous religious people responded so poorly to Jesus.
God uses grace to reveal our need for grace.
Jesus graces Peter and the disciples with a boatload of blessing.
This grace precedes Peter’s confession, and also prompts it.
“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)
People are not changed by shame, guilt or condemnation.
People are won over by kindness, compassion, mercy, patience.
Yet for some reason as christians, we prefer to frighten or guilt people to believe.
We frighten them with hell, we shame them with guilt.
The best way to win people to God and Jesus is with humility and grace.
Humility is our being open, honest and real about our own weakness.
Grace is our being open and generous with kindness toward others.
God and Jesus are still looking for humble, gracious messengers.
Are we… am I… willing to be humble (honest) about our/my weakness?
Are we… am I… willing to accept Gods undeserved grace and kindness?
Are we… am I… willing to be humble and gracious toward others in their weakness?
This is how we will attract and win over others to God and Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You do not despite a broken and contrite heart. In fact, this is what qualifies us to be Your messengers. Help me not to fight it, help me not to flee Your grace, and help me not to frighten people with their guilt and shame. Grace me because I need it. Help me to grace others, because they need it too.