1 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will 2 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: make you fishers of men. Matthew 4.19 Dear Lord, Thank 3 00:00:11,940 --> 00:00:14,319 Speaker 1: you for calling each and every one of us to 4 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:20,380 Speaker 1: a life of purpose, mission, and fulfillment. We confess that 5 00:00:20,540 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: we often feel weak and undeserving of the calling you've 6 00:00:24,500 --> 00:00:28,340 Speaker 1: set before us. But we declare that it's not who 7 00:00:28,420 --> 00:00:32,820 Speaker 1: we were that matters. but who we will become and 8 00:00:32,860 --> 00:00:37,700 Speaker 1: who you will make us into. You will make us great. 9 00:00:38,780 --> 00:00:43,029 Speaker 1: You will equip us for the challenges ahead. If we 10 00:00:43,090 --> 00:00:47,690 Speaker 1: are faithful to surrender to you, you will put our hearts, heads, 11 00:00:47,770 --> 00:00:54,750 Speaker 1: and hands to use for your kingdom. So, today, we 12 00:00:54,790 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: declare surrender to you. Use us, Lord, for your glory. 13 00:01:00,230 --> 00:01:03,570 Speaker 1: and your good. In Jesus' name we pray. 14 00:01:04,970 --> 00:01:05,209 Speaker 2: Amen. 15 00:01:07,390 --> 00:01:10,270 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:10,290 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Dramatic stories from the gospel told in 17 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:19,619 Speaker 1: new and exciting ways. Keep listening to hear the gospel-inspired 18 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:24,380 Speaker 1: story of Simon and how Jesus brought meaning to his life. 19 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: If this podcast has brought value to your faith, We'd 20 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,900 Speaker 1: love it if you left a review and shared it 21 00:01:30,940 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 1: with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to 22 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:37,970 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world, because when Jesus' story is told, 23 00:01:38,550 --> 00:01:45,589 Speaker 1: lives are transformed. Gulls flew overhead as the sun crested 24 00:01:45,650 --> 00:01:50,750 Speaker 1: gently above the horizon. The water was painted in light, 25 00:01:51,490 --> 00:01:57,230 Speaker 1: shimmering with bright orange and pink. Simon rowed his boat, 26 00:01:58,410 --> 00:02:03,700 Speaker 1: cutting through the glassy, incandescent water. He was numb to 27 00:02:03,740 --> 00:02:06,980 Speaker 1: the beauty of the morning. All he could think about 28 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:08,580 Speaker 1: was his failure. 29 00:02:10,300 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 3: Another night, no fish, he grumbled. 30 00:02:16,030 --> 00:02:18,530 Speaker 1: He and his brother Andrew had been up all night 31 00:02:18,590 --> 00:02:22,250 Speaker 1: casting their nets for fish, but the sea yielded nothing. 32 00:02:24,950 --> 00:02:28,700 Speaker 1: In the deeper parts of Simon's mind, He wondered if 33 00:02:28,780 --> 00:02:34,390 Speaker 1: God was playing games with him. He rowed in frustration 34 00:02:35,710 --> 00:02:40,930 Speaker 1: until the boat finally made it to the shore. Simon 35 00:02:41,010 --> 00:02:43,810 Speaker 1: leaned his forehead against the mast and sighed. 36 00:02:46,330 --> 00:02:46,950 Speaker 3: Worthless. 37 00:02:48,460 --> 00:02:52,340 Speaker 1: Simon resigned himself to a life of toil and aimlessness. 38 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,470 Speaker 1: Little did he know His destiny was walking toward him, 39 00:03:00,350 --> 00:03:02,169 Speaker 1: just a few paces up the shore. 40 00:03:08,310 --> 00:03:10,270 Speaker 2: Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror long 41 00:03:10,330 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 2: enough to have that mini existential moment where you think, 42 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,780 Speaker 2: who am I really? For many of us, our sense 43 00:03:16,820 --> 00:03:19,660 Speaker 2: of identity ebbs and flows with the various seasons of 44 00:03:19,740 --> 00:03:23,620 Speaker 2: life as we grow and change with our surroundings. Our 45 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:29,010 Speaker 2: interests change, our priorities shift. our relationships begin and then end. 46 00:03:29,590 --> 00:03:33,070 Speaker 2: When our circumstances and relationships are put under strain, it 47 00:03:33,090 --> 00:03:35,610 Speaker 2: can be easy to lose sense of who we are. 48 00:03:36,150 --> 00:03:38,670 Speaker 2: In the midst of it all, it's very easy to 49 00:03:38,730 --> 00:03:41,770 Speaker 2: feel out of control. But what if our identity could 50 00:03:41,810 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 2: be much more stable? Paul writes in Galatians 2.20, I 51 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 2: have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, 52 00:03:48,820 --> 00:03:52,220 Speaker 2: but Christ lives in me. The life I now live 53 00:03:52,300 --> 00:03:54,580 Speaker 2: in the body, I live by faith in the Son 54 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,500 Speaker 2: of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. 55 00:03:57,940 --> 00:04:01,380 Speaker 2: It's incredible what we'll discover when we answer Jesus' call 56 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 2: to follow him. As we learn about him, we find 57 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 2: that we have much to learn about ourselves too. Welcome 58 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 2: to the Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the 59 00:04:11,340 --> 00:04:13,750 Speaker 2: depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. 60 00:04:14,300 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 2: I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, and I'm excited to 61 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,380 Speaker 2: be with you today as we begin a new study 62 00:04:19,660 --> 00:04:23,359 Speaker 2: through 20 unique encounters Jesus had in his earthly ministry. 63 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:27,790 Speaker 2: These people all have different stories, struggles, and shortcomings. But 64 00:04:27,820 --> 00:04:30,810 Speaker 2: what isn't unique about each of these individuals is what 65 00:04:30,870 --> 00:04:34,750 Speaker 2: society labeled them as, outcasts. Make sure to follow this 66 00:04:34,770 --> 00:04:38,130 Speaker 2: podcast as we explore the transformative depths of God's love 67 00:04:38,290 --> 00:04:41,980 Speaker 2: made available to everyone. In our first story of this mini-series, 68 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 2: we'll be introduced to a man named Simon, but you 69 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,779 Speaker 2: may know him as Peter. On the surface, Simon was 70 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,860 Speaker 2: a meager fisherman simply looking to make ends meet. But 71 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 2: underneath it all, the weight of life's struggles eat away 72 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:56,380 Speaker 2: at his sense of purpose. With each passing day, the 73 00:04:56,460 --> 00:04:59,370 Speaker 2: lull of repetition and failure, alongside the doubts of being 74 00:04:59,430 --> 00:05:02,050 Speaker 2: able to provide for his family, brings a mixture of 75 00:05:02,230 --> 00:05:06,430 Speaker 2: apathy and discontentment in Simon's life. Without thought, Simon allows 76 00:05:06,490 --> 00:05:09,270 Speaker 2: the internal war of finding his own identity to spill 77 00:05:09,350 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 2: out into resentment towards his brother, who seems to be 78 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 2: finding purpose beyond life of the Sea of Galilee. In 79 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 2: a moment of what some might call coincidence, he meets Jesus, 80 00:05:19,300 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 2: the promised Lamb of God. Though he may not have 81 00:05:22,260 --> 00:05:25,219 Speaker 2: known it at the time, his initial encounter with Jesus 82 00:05:25,260 --> 00:05:28,930 Speaker 2: would change the trajectory of his life forever. Join me 83 00:05:28,990 --> 00:05:31,710 Speaker 2: as we discover Peter's story and learn that our true 84 00:05:31,790 --> 00:05:35,310 Speaker 2: identities can't be manufactured in and of ourselves, but can 85 00:05:35,390 --> 00:05:37,430 Speaker 2: only be found by following Jesus. 86 00:05:40,070 --> 00:05:44,580 Speaker 1: Simon leaned his forehead against the mast. The boat bobbed 87 00:05:44,700 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 1: up and down, slowly lulling him to sleep. He groaned, 88 00:05:50,500 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: knocked his head over and over again on the wood. 89 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:55,280 Speaker 3: All night, Andrew. 90 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:56,420 Speaker 2: All night. 91 00:05:57,100 --> 00:06:01,990 Speaker 3: We're fishermen. And it's been weeks since we've even smelt 92 00:06:02,070 --> 00:06:02,490 Speaker 3: a fish. 93 00:06:04,450 --> 00:06:07,099 Speaker 1: Simon threw himself face first into a pile of nets 94 00:06:07,860 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 1: and moaned to his brother. They had toiled all night 95 00:06:12,020 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: to no avail. Their nets were empty, just like their pockets. 96 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 3: If we don't haul in a catch soon, the tax 97 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,750 Speaker 3: collectors will come knocking on my door and take my 98 00:06:24,810 --> 00:06:28,700 Speaker 3: wife's earrings right off her ears. What are we going 99 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 3: to do? 100 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:33,020 Speaker 1: Perhaps we shouldn't be fishermen, Andrew said with a shrug. 101 00:06:34,220 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 1: He threw the anchor off the boat and tightened the rope, 102 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:41,140 Speaker 1: securing it close to shore. Maybe we're meant to do 103 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:41,820 Speaker 1: something else. 104 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:47,580 Speaker 3: Don't start that again, Andrew. I've heard enough about your 105 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:50,460 Speaker 3: locust-eating friend with the loud voice. 106 00:06:52,810 --> 00:06:57,860 Speaker 1: Simon was referring to John the Baptizer. Andrew had been 107 00:06:57,900 --> 00:07:02,450 Speaker 1: following his teachings for quite some time. Andrew couldn't stop 108 00:07:02,529 --> 00:07:07,510 Speaker 1: talking about him. Andrew came to work every day endlessly 109 00:07:07,630 --> 00:07:11,690 Speaker 1: preaching about repentance, the coming of the Messiah, and making 110 00:07:11,790 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: way for revolution. It all annoyed Simon to no end. 111 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:21,860 Speaker 1: If he were being honest, Simon was irritated that his 112 00:07:21,940 --> 00:07:25,220 Speaker 1: brother had found some purpose beyond the monotony of fishing. 113 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:30,980 Speaker 1: Not that he didn't find fishing in itself a worthwhile profession. 114 00:07:32,940 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: Perhaps Simon would have found more fulfillment in fishing if 115 00:07:36,380 --> 00:07:40,740 Speaker 1: he had been better at it. Yet each day was 116 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: a struggle. Simon continually found himself in a maddening circle, 117 00:07:47,980 --> 00:07:52,620 Speaker 1: toiling all night, casting nets, pulling them back to find nothing, 118 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:57,930 Speaker 1: and casting them out again. Mornings were spent cleaning the 119 00:07:57,970 --> 00:08:03,470 Speaker 1: empty nets. Then he would sleep to repeat the process. 120 00:08:05,030 --> 00:08:07,330 Speaker 3: You're missing out on something groundbreaking. 121 00:08:08,930 --> 00:08:10,170 Speaker 1: Andrew preached to his brother. 122 00:08:10,980 --> 00:08:14,300 Speaker 2: Just the other day, John was baptizing when all of 123 00:08:14,340 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 2: a sudden a man from Nazareth stopped him in his tracks. 124 00:08:18,120 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 2: John told us that he was the Lamb of God. 125 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:25,830 Speaker 2: Whatever that means... John was in near tears at the 126 00:08:25,950 --> 00:08:26,510 Speaker 2: sight of him. 127 00:08:27,530 --> 00:08:33,010 Speaker 3: A random man from Nazareth, you say? Oh, yes. Sounds groundbreaking. 128 00:08:35,010 --> 00:08:39,329 Speaker 1: Simon replied with a sarcastic smile. He threw his nets 129 00:08:39,410 --> 00:08:41,310 Speaker 1: onto the sand and pulled his hair back. 130 00:08:42,809 --> 00:08:46,010 Speaker 3: Let's clean these nets and get out of here. I'm 131 00:08:46,070 --> 00:08:47,250 Speaker 3: hungry and I need a bath. 132 00:08:49,220 --> 00:08:53,050 Speaker 1: Simon began tending to the nets. His neck ached and 133 00:08:53,090 --> 00:08:55,410 Speaker 1: his eyes were weary from a night that seemed to 134 00:08:55,470 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 1: drag on forever. Simon's thoughts bounced from self-loathing to prideful 135 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:07,339 Speaker 1: denial of his failure. He ran the nets through a 136 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: bucket of fresh water. Then he sat down and methodically 137 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 1: untangled each thread. Another boat paddled up on the right side. 138 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:22,230 Speaker 1: It was James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They 139 00:09:22,309 --> 00:09:27,209 Speaker 1: had fished all night as well and caught nothing. Simon 140 00:09:27,230 --> 00:09:30,660 Speaker 1: gave them a resigned wave and gestured to his empty nets. 141 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: Simon was the only one who hadn't been having any 142 00:09:33,980 --> 00:09:34,660 Speaker 1: luck with fish. 143 00:09:36,140 --> 00:09:39,290 Speaker 3: If I can't fish, then who am I? 144 00:09:40,260 --> 00:09:45,070 Speaker 1: His words were soft and unheard by the rest. Simon 145 00:09:45,210 --> 00:09:49,330 Speaker 1: had a knot in his chest. A tension of identity. 146 00:09:50,990 --> 00:09:53,449 Speaker 1: He had failed at the only thing he had been 147 00:09:53,530 --> 00:09:58,390 Speaker 1: asked to do his entire life. If Simon couldn't fish, 148 00:09:59,050 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: he couldn't pay off his debt. to the tax collectors. 149 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:04,940 Speaker 1: If he couldn't fish, he couldn't provide for his wife 150 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:10,349 Speaker 1: and sick mother-in-law. Creases of disappointment etched the sides of 151 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:15,910 Speaker 1: his eyes as Simon worked the nets. Just as he 152 00:10:15,950 --> 00:10:19,590 Speaker 1: was about to finish, a small crowd walked down the beach. 153 00:10:21,790 --> 00:10:25,500 Speaker 1: They were all following a man. He was of average 154 00:10:25,530 --> 00:10:31,559 Speaker 1: height and wore craftsman's garments. However, there was a rabbinical 155 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: sash around his shoulders. Clearly, this man was some sort 156 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:37,380 Speaker 1: of teacher. 157 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:42,180 Speaker 2: Simon, that's him! That's the man I was telling you about! 158 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,730 Speaker 2: The one John said was the Lamb of God! 159 00:10:46,370 --> 00:10:51,370 Speaker 1: Simon rolled his eyes and groaned. The man was approaching 160 00:10:51,410 --> 00:10:56,190 Speaker 1: with a couple of dozen people behind him. Joyful clamors 161 00:10:56,270 --> 00:11:01,270 Speaker 1: followed him, and smiles shone brightly on their faces. Simon 162 00:11:01,290 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: didn't care. He wanted to lay down and sleep before 163 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:09,860 Speaker 1: facing his wife, and telling her once again he'd failed 164 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:15,420 Speaker 1: to catch anything. Simon folded the last net and began 165 00:11:15,500 --> 00:11:21,170 Speaker 1: walking away. Before he could take two steps, The man 166 00:11:21,230 --> 00:11:26,130 Speaker 1: called out to him. Shalom, friends. My name is Jesus. 167 00:11:26,870 --> 00:11:28,380 Speaker 2: Would I be able to use your boat for a 168 00:11:28,390 --> 00:11:30,860 Speaker 2: few minutes? The crowd would be able to hear me 169 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:32,500 Speaker 2: much better if I was up there. 170 00:11:33,340 --> 00:11:38,900 Speaker 1: The stranger's voice was kind but firm. Andrew perked up 171 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: when he spoke, but Simon was still ambivalent. 172 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,940 Speaker 3: Rabbi, we've been fishing all night. We would much rather. 173 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 1: Of course you can. Andrew interrupted with childlike glee. Simon 174 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,099 Speaker 1: turned to Andrew and gave him a glare that only 175 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:03,199 Speaker 1: an older brother could give. Simon groaned again and nodded 176 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:09,130 Speaker 1: for Jesus to climb aboard. Jesus steadied his feet and 177 00:12:09,170 --> 00:12:14,809 Speaker 1: began preaching to the crowd. Everyone was transfixed by his words, 178 00:12:15,910 --> 00:12:21,990 Speaker 1: including Andrew. Simon barely listened. dozing off as he leaned 179 00:12:22,050 --> 00:12:26,530 Speaker 1: his head back against the nets. Just as Simon felt 180 00:12:26,630 --> 00:12:31,610 Speaker 1: perfectly comfortable, Jesus turned to him and said, Let's go 181 00:12:31,690 --> 00:12:33,929 Speaker 1: out into the deep and let out your nets for 182 00:12:33,950 --> 00:12:37,430 Speaker 1: a catch. Simon rolled his neck back and leaned forward. 183 00:12:39,690 --> 00:12:44,900 Speaker 3: Rabbi, with all due respect, we've been fishing all night 184 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,840 Speaker 3: and caught nothing. There's nothing out there for us today. 185 00:12:50,250 --> 00:12:54,900 Speaker 1: Simon looked down at the water. It reflected his disappointment 186 00:12:55,020 --> 00:13:01,220 Speaker 1: right back at him. Then he looked at Jesus. There 187 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 1: was an earnestness about him that somehow made Simon relate. 188 00:13:06,820 --> 00:13:11,190 Speaker 3: Nevertheless, at your word, I'll try again. 189 00:13:12,710 --> 00:13:17,930 Speaker 1: Simon had faithless faithfulness. He didn't believe anything would happen, 190 00:13:18,830 --> 00:13:24,110 Speaker 1: but wasn't about to argue with Jesus. The two brothers 191 00:13:24,210 --> 00:13:27,710 Speaker 1: rowed the boat out a dozen yards. The water was 192 00:13:27,770 --> 00:13:33,449 Speaker 1: glassy and still. With a reluctant sigh, Simon cast out 193 00:13:33,470 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: the net. He sat down and waited. A few moments passed, 194 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,260 Speaker 1: and Simon looked at Jesus with a raised eyebrow as 195 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:49,429 Speaker 1: if to say, Told you so. But just then, Simon 196 00:13:49,470 --> 00:13:53,710 Speaker 1: heard the sound of tightening ropes. The nets became taut, 197 00:13:54,550 --> 00:13:58,830 Speaker 1: and the boat leaned over. Simon and Andrew tumbled to 198 00:13:58,850 --> 00:14:02,189 Speaker 1: the side and looked at the water. It was bubbling 199 00:14:02,230 --> 00:14:02,930 Speaker 1: with activity. 200 00:14:04,230 --> 00:14:05,770 Speaker 3: Pull! Pull the nets! 201 00:14:09,460 --> 00:14:12,220 Speaker 1: Simon and Andrew heaved, but the nets were too heavy 202 00:14:12,280 --> 00:14:12,620 Speaker 1: for them. 203 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:17,380 Speaker 3: If we don't hold this in soon, they're going to break! 204 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: They waved to James and John to come over and help. 205 00:14:23,180 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 1: They paddled swiftly to help haul in the massive catch. 206 00:14:27,420 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 3: Almost there. Just a few more pushes. 207 00:14:36,060 --> 00:14:39,620 Speaker 1: Simon's arms felt tighter than the net's, and his hands 208 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:44,210 Speaker 1: burned under the moving rope. Jesus joined in and grabbed 209 00:14:44,250 --> 00:14:48,420 Speaker 1: the edge of the net. With one final pull, They 210 00:14:48,500 --> 00:14:53,430 Speaker 1: brought the catch into the boat. Fish scattered throughout the deck, 211 00:14:54,030 --> 00:14:56,150 Speaker 1: so much so that the ship began to sink. 212 00:14:57,510 --> 00:15:02,230 Speaker 3: Bring it in! Bring it in! 213 00:15:03,950 --> 00:15:08,380 Speaker 1: Simon yelled with nervous laughter. James and John loaded fish 214 00:15:08,500 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: over onto their boat to keep Simon's from sinking. They 215 00:15:13,260 --> 00:15:17,460 Speaker 1: reached the shore and leaped with unhindered joy. hugging each 216 00:15:17,540 --> 00:15:22,370 Speaker 1: other and laughing uncontrollably. Standing in the background of laughter 217 00:15:22,450 --> 00:15:27,970 Speaker 1: and pats on the back was Jesus. He leaned against 218 00:15:28,010 --> 00:15:33,770 Speaker 1: the mast of Simon's boat with a satisfied grin. Simon 219 00:15:33,890 --> 00:15:39,470 Speaker 1: held his head and laughed, but his laughter slowly turned 220 00:15:39,530 --> 00:15:45,120 Speaker 1: upside down and he was overcome with grief. He looked 221 00:15:45,130 --> 00:15:51,790 Speaker 1: to Jesus and shook his head. Who are you? he whispered. 222 00:15:54,070 --> 00:15:59,650 Speaker 1: But the answer was clear. He was exactly who Andrew 223 00:15:59,750 --> 00:16:04,530 Speaker 1: said he was. He was the Lamb of God, the 224 00:16:04,610 --> 00:16:12,260 Speaker 1: hope of Israel, the Messiah. With a quivering lip and 225 00:16:12,460 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: furled brow, Simon fell to his knees, He knew this 226 00:16:18,220 --> 00:16:22,460 Speaker 1: was a miracle. Simon knew that Jesus was the reason 227 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: he had caught such an enormous catch. He felt unworthy 228 00:16:27,090 --> 00:16:30,610 Speaker 1: of such a gesture. He felt the sting of an 229 00:16:30,690 --> 00:16:35,190 Speaker 1: undeserved blessing. Who was he to receive such a gift? 230 00:16:36,550 --> 00:16:38,970 Speaker 1: Who was he to be in the presence of someone 231 00:16:39,070 --> 00:16:44,740 Speaker 1: so powerful and holy? Simon could barely look Jesus in 232 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:49,740 Speaker 1: the eye. With a shameful glance upward, he whimpered. 233 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 3: Depart from me, Lord. Depart from me, for I am 234 00:16:56,420 --> 00:16:57,530 Speaker 3: a sinful man. 235 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:03,690 Speaker 1: Simon was shaking with shame. His heart ached from years 236 00:17:03,750 --> 00:17:10,350 Speaker 1: of anger, sin, and self-doubt. Jesus, with compassionate eyes and 237 00:17:10,369 --> 00:17:14,950 Speaker 1: a warm heart, said, You are fearful, Simon. I understand. 238 00:17:14,970 --> 00:17:20,310 Speaker 1: I understand. Jesus leaned down to Simon and placed a 239 00:17:20,350 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: hand on his shoulder. He met Simon at eye level, 240 00:17:26,060 --> 00:17:30,820 Speaker 1: gazing into his soul and all the insecurities that had 241 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: plagued him. Follow me, Simon. Follow me, and I will 242 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:42,310 Speaker 1: make you a fisher of men. Simon looked Jesus in 243 00:17:42,350 --> 00:17:48,100 Speaker 1: the eyes. They were glassy and still like water, only 244 00:17:48,140 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: they didn't reflect his insecurity. Instead, Simon saw glimpses of 245 00:17:53,880 --> 00:18:00,920 Speaker 1: his destiny. The aimlessness and self-doubt weighing him down had 246 00:18:01,109 --> 00:18:06,210 Speaker 1: sunk to the bottom of the sea. Simon stood up 247 00:18:07,290 --> 00:18:10,369 Speaker 1: and left the fish to rot in the nets. He 248 00:18:10,410 --> 00:18:15,469 Speaker 1: didn't need them anymore. Fishing had been a trade, but 249 00:18:15,490 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 1: it was never who he was. Jesus saw the man 250 00:18:20,310 --> 00:18:25,229 Speaker 1: behind the nets and the wounded soul underneath that rugged veneer. 251 00:18:26,990 --> 00:18:33,650 Speaker 1: Simon was a boisterous, fighty, and fragile sinner indeed. But 252 00:18:33,670 --> 00:18:36,850 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter who you are before Jesus calls you. 253 00:18:37,830 --> 00:18:43,070 Speaker 1: What matters is who you become once you begin to 254 00:18:43,150 --> 00:18:43,670 Speaker 1: follow him. 255 00:18:46,619 --> 00:18:49,159 Speaker 2: In Matthew 4, we enter into some of the earliest 256 00:18:49,220 --> 00:18:52,540 Speaker 2: moments of Jesus' public ministry. Having spent the majority of 257 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 2: his life as a humble carpenter in the lackluster city 258 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:59,060 Speaker 2: of Nazareth, Jesus is quickly gaining traction among the local community. 259 00:18:59,580 --> 00:19:02,859 Speaker 2: It's no wonder why this might be. According to Matthew 7, 260 00:19:02,859 --> 00:19:06,140 Speaker 2: the crowds were amazed at his teachings because he taught 261 00:19:06,180 --> 00:19:08,380 Speaker 2: as one who had authority. While many of the other 262 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,360 Speaker 2: rabbis and teachers of the time would just recycle truths 263 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,639 Speaker 2: that they heard from one another, Jesus had original thoughts. 264 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:17,719 Speaker 2: And they weren't just original thoughts, they were scandalous, but 265 00:19:17,820 --> 00:19:19,740 Speaker 2: they also cut straight to the heart in a way 266 00:19:19,780 --> 00:19:23,750 Speaker 2: that they had never heard before. People were awakening to Jesus' 267 00:19:23,810 --> 00:19:26,889 Speaker 2: words and his ministry. The message of the coming kingdom 268 00:19:26,930 --> 00:19:29,690 Speaker 2: of God that Jesus shared was profound. It offered a 269 00:19:29,730 --> 00:19:31,990 Speaker 2: deeper look into the human soul than the vapid and 270 00:19:32,030 --> 00:19:36,130 Speaker 2: repetitive teachings of his contemporaries. But Jesus offered more than 271 00:19:36,190 --> 00:19:39,740 Speaker 2: in-depth teachings. He was paving the way for a revolution. 272 00:19:40,290 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 2: And it wasn't a revolution of politics, coups, or violence, 273 00:19:42,940 --> 00:19:44,980 Speaker 2: nor was he making a bid to the throne and 274 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:48,970 Speaker 2: ascend to political power. The Jesus Revolution was a radical 275 00:19:49,050 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 2: transformation of how we view God, his kingdom, this world, 276 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:56,180 Speaker 2: and even ourselves, if we allow it. As we saw 277 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 2: in today's story, Jesus spoke to the masses, but deliberately 278 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 2: ministered to individuals. Individuals like Simon. Individuals who were on 279 00:20:03,740 --> 00:20:07,320 Speaker 2: the fringes and felt forgotten or perhaps ineffectual in their lives. 280 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:12,850 Speaker 2: Individuals who identified as failures and outcasts. Even individuals who 281 00:20:12,890 --> 00:20:16,010 Speaker 2: had no sense of identity at all. These were the 282 00:20:16,130 --> 00:20:19,450 Speaker 2: ones Jesus personally called to follow him because he knew 283 00:20:19,510 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 2: they were blank canvases to create masterpieces on. Where others 284 00:20:23,300 --> 00:20:27,229 Speaker 2: see failure, Jesus sees opportunity. Where some see success, Jesus 285 00:20:27,270 --> 00:20:30,109 Speaker 2: sees pride. Jesus doesn't look at the world through our 286 00:20:30,190 --> 00:20:33,830 Speaker 2: lens of success and failure. He looks deeper and into eternity, 287 00:20:34,210 --> 00:20:37,310 Speaker 2: seeing beyond the accolades and straight into the heart. When 288 00:20:37,350 --> 00:20:40,810 Speaker 2: people have a self-determined mission or sense of identity, they're 289 00:20:40,890 --> 00:20:44,449 Speaker 2: often hesitant to relinquish control. The danger of finding purpose 290 00:20:44,490 --> 00:20:47,250 Speaker 2: and identity within ourselves is that as quickly as we 291 00:20:47,270 --> 00:20:50,710 Speaker 2: can build ourselves up, we can be torn down. Maybe 292 00:20:50,790 --> 00:20:53,070 Speaker 2: you lose your job, mourn the loss of a loved one, 293 00:20:53,210 --> 00:20:56,020 Speaker 2: or struggle in a relationship. With each of these blows 294 00:20:56,060 --> 00:20:59,540 Speaker 2: to the ego, our identity wavers until it's bound to crumble. 295 00:21:00,180 --> 00:21:03,540 Speaker 2: You see, centering our identities on something like a profession 296 00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:07,740 Speaker 2: or a relationship or a hobby is shaky footing and 297 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:12,650 Speaker 2: shaky ground. Things change, but the Lord remains the same forever. 298 00:21:13,170 --> 00:21:16,790 Speaker 2: We need a stronger foundation for our identities. So, how 299 00:21:16,869 --> 00:21:19,750 Speaker 2: might we have a deeper sense of identity? Well, like Simon, 300 00:21:20,050 --> 00:21:23,669 Speaker 2: it begins with looking to Jesus. Think about the difference 301 00:21:23,710 --> 00:21:25,790 Speaker 2: between the moment of looking at yourself in the mirror 302 00:21:26,070 --> 00:21:28,920 Speaker 2: and the moment Simon gazed into the eyes of the Messiah. 303 00:21:29,420 --> 00:21:31,879 Speaker 2: How quickly we can go from pondering who am I 304 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 2: to seeing everything we can be through Jesus Christ. You see, 305 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:39,699 Speaker 2: knowing God gives us a greater understanding of ourselves. When 306 00:21:39,740 --> 00:21:42,220 Speaker 2: we look at ourselves through God's eyes, our purpose becomes 307 00:21:42,380 --> 00:21:45,830 Speaker 2: much more clear. When we anchor our identities in Christ, 308 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:49,109 Speaker 2: we feel less anxious and out of control. Who God 309 00:21:49,310 --> 00:21:51,449 Speaker 2: is and what He has called us to do is 310 00:21:51,470 --> 00:21:54,449 Speaker 2: a far more firm and steady base to build our 311 00:21:54,490 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 2: identities upon. He's not a God who looks down on 312 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 2: us with disdain or frustration for our failures. He is 313 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,260 Speaker 2: a loving Father who looks at us with compassion and 314 00:22:03,340 --> 00:22:06,350 Speaker 2: calls us to be His children. When we submit ourselves 315 00:22:06,390 --> 00:22:09,130 Speaker 2: to following Jesus, we are welcomed into his loving arms, 316 00:22:09,530 --> 00:22:12,230 Speaker 2: the starting point of understanding who we really are meant 317 00:22:12,270 --> 00:22:15,669 Speaker 2: to be. As Peter contemplates the bleak night of fishing, 318 00:22:15,950 --> 00:22:19,270 Speaker 2: he finds himself mulling over his purpose and his identity. 319 00:22:19,770 --> 00:22:23,210 Speaker 2: Since he attached his purpose to his profession, he inevitably 320 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:26,700 Speaker 2: associated himself as a failure because he was failing to 321 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 2: catch fish. And so hard set in his ways he 322 00:22:29,820 --> 00:22:32,030 Speaker 2: was that he turned a deaf ear to his brother 323 00:22:32,090 --> 00:22:34,930 Speaker 2: who spoke of possible hope and finding more in life 324 00:22:34,990 --> 00:22:39,109 Speaker 2: than just fishing. Simon's ambivalence towards his brother's message is 325 00:22:39,150 --> 00:22:42,389 Speaker 2: a warning for all of us. It demonstrates that ambivalence 326 00:22:42,410 --> 00:22:45,429 Speaker 2: towards Jesus can hinder if not prevent our ability to 327 00:22:45,470 --> 00:22:48,739 Speaker 2: admire him. Don't be too quick to dismiss others when 328 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:50,700 Speaker 2: they want to share what God is doing in their lives. 329 00:22:51,260 --> 00:22:53,570 Speaker 2: You may think, oh yeah, I've heard it, I've heard it, 330 00:22:53,609 --> 00:22:55,740 Speaker 2: I've heard it. You don't need to tell me about it. 331 00:22:55,770 --> 00:22:59,090 Speaker 2: I've been to church. I've heard the messages. Stop preaching 332 00:22:59,130 --> 00:23:02,430 Speaker 2: to me. But hold on. Maybe someone is getting a 333 00:23:02,490 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 2: glimpse into God's character that you have yet to peer into. 334 00:23:06,230 --> 00:23:09,440 Speaker 2: Maybe someone has found purpose and joy worth sharing to you. 335 00:23:10,060 --> 00:23:12,660 Speaker 2: Andrew had a testimony to share, but Simon was too 336 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 2: agitated and consumed with himself to listen. He needed to 337 00:23:16,540 --> 00:23:19,419 Speaker 2: wake up to what was happening. It wasn't until Simon 338 00:23:19,460 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 2: appreciated the significant role Jesus could play in his life 339 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:25,540 Speaker 2: that he turned his heart towards adoration. And all it 340 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 2: took was a simple act of obedience. You see, at 341 00:23:28,820 --> 00:23:32,060 Speaker 2: first Simon was ambivalent about Jesus, but I love how 342 00:23:32,100 --> 00:23:36,149 Speaker 2: he still had the attitude of, well, nevertheless, let's do it. 343 00:23:36,740 --> 00:23:39,889 Speaker 2: Sometimes that's all it takes. Faithless faithfulness is what I 344 00:23:39,930 --> 00:23:42,770 Speaker 2: like to call it. There's something honest about this entire 345 00:23:42,830 --> 00:23:46,290 Speaker 2: interaction that Peter has with Jesus. He isn't sure what 346 00:23:46,369 --> 00:23:49,890 Speaker 2: Jesus is up to, but he obeys nonetheless. You see, 347 00:23:49,930 --> 00:23:52,169 Speaker 2: God can do a lot with that attitude. He can 348 00:23:52,210 --> 00:23:54,330 Speaker 2: do a lot with our willingness to obey him even 349 00:23:54,390 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 2: when we're irritated, doubtful, tired, and aren't sure what's going 350 00:23:57,859 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 2: to come of it. So, even in reluctance, Peter's faithless 351 00:24:01,380 --> 00:24:04,460 Speaker 2: faithfulness to obey the instruction of Jesus gave him the 352 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:07,740 Speaker 2: opportunity to witness a mere glimpse of his power. And 353 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:10,950 Speaker 2: if Jesus can fill Peter's empty nets, maybe he could 354 00:24:10,990 --> 00:24:14,460 Speaker 2: fill his empty hearts if given the chance. Surely, if 355 00:24:14,500 --> 00:24:17,260 Speaker 2: this stranger from Nazareth seemed to work with a greater purpose, 356 00:24:17,619 --> 00:24:21,160 Speaker 2: even this lowly fisherman from Galilee could too. We can 357 00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:23,159 Speaker 2: trust that God has a special plan for each of 358 00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:26,550 Speaker 2: our lives. While we may not know every single detail 359 00:24:26,690 --> 00:24:29,130 Speaker 2: of that plan, we can be sure that our purpose 360 00:24:29,170 --> 00:24:32,409 Speaker 2: of following Jesus, being made more like Him, and glorifying 361 00:24:32,470 --> 00:24:35,550 Speaker 2: Him along the way will never change. And all it 362 00:24:35,590 --> 00:24:38,330 Speaker 2: takes is our willingness to follow Him with humble hearts 363 00:24:38,369 --> 00:24:42,139 Speaker 2: of service and gratitude. Perhaps the plan isn't exactly what 364 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:47,450 Speaker 2: we expect or even rest assured that God is in 365 00:24:47,530 --> 00:24:51,310 Speaker 2: perfect control with each step. May we all experience the 366 00:24:51,369 --> 00:24:55,190 Speaker 2: glorious intersection of God's grace and our efforts. We can 367 00:24:55,250 --> 00:24:57,310 Speaker 2: cling tightly to the fact that there is a greater 368 00:24:57,390 --> 00:25:00,380 Speaker 2: good God wants to accomplish in and through us while 369 00:25:00,420 --> 00:25:03,359 Speaker 2: holding loosely to what that looks like precisely. You see, 370 00:25:03,380 --> 00:25:06,419 Speaker 2: you're not supposed to know every single detail of God's plan. 371 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,200 Speaker 2: If you knew all of God's plan mapped out from 372 00:25:09,260 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 2: beginning to end, You would just be looking for shortcuts 373 00:25:11,820 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 2: along the way. Jesus doesn't want to just show you 374 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:16,699 Speaker 2: the end goal of what you're going to be. He 375 00:25:16,740 --> 00:25:18,979 Speaker 2: wants you to follow him. He wants to take you 376 00:25:19,050 --> 00:25:23,230 Speaker 2: along a journey and a process. It doesn't take great skill, eloquence, 377 00:25:23,270 --> 00:25:26,950 Speaker 2: or charisma. It takes willing hearts and hands. In our story, 378 00:25:26,990 --> 00:25:29,209 Speaker 2: we also met some fellow fishermen, one of them by 379 00:25:29,230 --> 00:25:31,770 Speaker 2: the name of John. This man would also become one 380 00:25:31,790 --> 00:25:35,060 Speaker 2: of Jesus' closest disciples and a prolific leader in the 381 00:25:35,119 --> 00:25:38,149 Speaker 2: early church. Eventually, he would write these words in 1 382 00:25:38,150 --> 00:25:41,169 Speaker 2: John 3, 2. Beloved, we are God's children now, and 383 00:25:41,230 --> 00:25:43,930 Speaker 2: what we will be has yet to appear. But we 384 00:25:44,050 --> 00:25:46,410 Speaker 2: know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, 385 00:25:46,650 --> 00:25:49,750 Speaker 2: because we shall see Him as He is. We don't 386 00:25:49,790 --> 00:25:52,409 Speaker 2: know the specifics of how God will uniquely work in 387 00:25:52,430 --> 00:25:54,890 Speaker 2: our individual lives, but each of us, from the most 388 00:25:54,930 --> 00:25:58,090 Speaker 2: socially accepted to the furthest outcast, has been given a 389 00:25:58,330 --> 00:26:01,530 Speaker 2: purpose and a promise of being made like Jesus if 390 00:26:01,970 --> 00:26:05,020 Speaker 2: we pursue Him. What a glorious purpose that is. A 391 00:26:05,060 --> 00:26:08,260 Speaker 2: purpose that compels us onward. Our last point here is 392 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:10,619 Speaker 2: that it might seem daunting to walk away from the 393 00:26:10,660 --> 00:26:14,180 Speaker 2: life we know, but it's worth it. Simon and Andrew's 394 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:17,020 Speaker 2: nets were empty and they weren't very good fishermen, clearly. 395 00:26:17,340 --> 00:26:19,620 Speaker 2: But at least they knew what their life looked like. 396 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,440 Speaker 2: At least there was a predictability, even if it was 397 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:25,700 Speaker 2: predictability and monotony. But to see a change, we have 398 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,369 Speaker 2: to make a change. We have to stop looking inward 399 00:26:28,390 --> 00:26:31,090 Speaker 2: to find purpose in identity and begin to look to Jesus. 400 00:26:31,810 --> 00:26:34,010 Speaker 2: We have to change our perception of what's possible and 401 00:26:34,050 --> 00:26:36,810 Speaker 2: believe that our God is a God of miracles. And 402 00:26:36,850 --> 00:26:40,730 Speaker 2: our God can work miracles in our mundane and ineffectual lives. 403 00:26:41,380 --> 00:26:43,119 Speaker 2: We have to look beyond the mundane to see the 404 00:26:43,220 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 2: splendor of a life lived for and by Jesus. So, 405 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:49,859 Speaker 2: I encourage you to allow Jesus into your life and 406 00:26:49,940 --> 00:26:52,810 Speaker 2: leave nothing hidden from Him. The more you give Him, 407 00:26:52,869 --> 00:26:55,070 Speaker 2: the more He will change you. God doesn't want to 408 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:57,730 Speaker 2: improve you. He wants to give you an entirely new life. 409 00:26:58,230 --> 00:27:01,130 Speaker 2: And maybe like Simon, we're not perfect, but a life 410 00:27:01,170 --> 00:27:04,350 Speaker 2: of faith is not marked by perfection, but by consistency. 411 00:27:05,010 --> 00:27:08,170 Speaker 2: Receive God's mercy that are new every morning and take 412 00:27:08,210 --> 00:27:11,149 Speaker 2: that step of faith today. Failure isn't the end of faith. 413 00:27:11,230 --> 00:27:14,169 Speaker 2: It's part of the process. So follow Jesus and you 414 00:27:14,210 --> 00:27:16,910 Speaker 2: might just be surprised at what you'll find if you 415 00:27:16,950 --> 00:27:20,419 Speaker 2: decide to give him your all. In our next story, 416 00:27:20,540 --> 00:27:22,940 Speaker 2: we're going to meet another one of Jesus's 12 disciples. 417 00:27:24,350 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 2: This man is often unseen and unheralded in scripture, but 418 00:27:28,340 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 2: we want to give him some light. It's a man 419 00:27:31,060 --> 00:27:34,590 Speaker 2: named Nathaniel. Thanks for joining us for the Jesus Podcast. 420 00:27:34,690 --> 00:27:37,010 Speaker 2: If you haven't yet followed, make sure to do so. 421 00:27:37,330 --> 00:27:39,860 Speaker 2: That way, you never have to miss an episode. And 422 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 2: it helps us to get seen by more people. Thanks 423 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 2: for making the mission possible. We love that you're here, 424 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 2: and we love that you continue this journey with us.