1 00:00:01,270 --> 00:00:04,910 Speaker 1: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will 2 00:00:04,930 --> 00:00:11,930 Speaker 1: make you fishers of men. Matthew 4.19 Dear Lord, Thank 3 00:00:11,970 --> 00:00:14,330 Speaker 1: you for calling each and every one of us to 4 00:00:14,370 --> 00:00:20,410 Speaker 1: a life of purpose, mission, and fulfillment. We confess that 5 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:24,500 Speaker 1: we often feel weak and undeserving of the calling you've 6 00:00:24,540 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: set before us. But we declare that it's not who 7 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:32,860 Speaker 1: we were that matters. but who we will become and 8 00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: who you will make us into. You will make us great. 9 00:00:38,820 --> 00:00:43,059 Speaker 1: You will equip us for the challenges ahead. If we 10 00:00:43,100 --> 00:00:47,700 Speaker 1: are faithful to surrender to you, you will put our hearts, heads, 11 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:54,770 Speaker 1: and hands to use for your kingdom. So, today, we 12 00:00:54,830 --> 00:00:59,730 Speaker 1: declare surrender to you. Use us, Lord, for your glory. 13 00:01:00,260 --> 00:01:03,590 Speaker 1: and your good. In Jesus' name we pray. 14 00:01:04,990 --> 00:01:05,229 Speaker 2: Amen. 15 00:01:07,430 --> 00:01:10,310 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:10,330 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Dramatic stories from the gospel told in 17 00:01:15,140 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 1: new and exciting ways. Keep listening to hear the gospel-inspired 18 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:24,420 Speaker 1: story of Simon and how Jesus brought meaning to his life. 19 00:01:25,330 --> 00:01:28,750 Speaker 1: If this podcast has brought value to your faith, We'd 20 00:01:28,830 --> 00:01:30,940 Speaker 1: love it if you left a review and shared it 21 00:01:30,970 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to 22 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world. Because when Jesus' story is told, 23 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:45,619 Speaker 1: lives are transformed. Gulls flew overhead as the sun crested 24 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:50,790 Speaker 1: gently above the horizon. The water was painted in light, 25 00:01:51,530 --> 00:01:57,270 Speaker 1: shimmering with bright orange and pink. Simon rowed his boat. 26 00:01:58,450 --> 00:02:03,710 Speaker 1: cutting through the glassy, incandescent water. He was numb to 27 00:02:03,750 --> 00:02:07,010 Speaker 1: the beauty of the morning. All he could think about 28 00:02:07,870 --> 00:02:08,590 Speaker 1: was his failure. 29 00:02:10,310 --> 00:02:12,410 Speaker 3: Another night, no. 30 00:02:12,290 --> 00:02:17,950 Speaker 1: Fish, he grumbled. He and his brother Andrew had been 31 00:02:17,990 --> 00:02:21,230 Speaker 1: up all night casting their nets for fish, but the 32 00:02:21,270 --> 00:02:26,620 Speaker 1: sea yielded nothing. In the deeper parts of Simon's mind, 33 00:02:28,220 --> 00:02:33,180 Speaker 1: He wondered if God was playing games with him. He 34 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:37,060 Speaker 1: rowed in frustration until the boat finally made it to 35 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:43,850 Speaker 1: the shore. Simon leaned his forehead against the mast and sighed. 36 00:02:46,350 --> 00:02:46,970 Speaker 3: Worthless. 37 00:02:48,470 --> 00:02:52,370 Speaker 1: Simon resigned himself to a life of toil and aimlessness. 38 00:02:55,070 --> 00:02:59,500 Speaker 1: Little did he know, His destiny was walking toward him, 39 00:03:00,380 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: just a few paces up the shore. 40 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:10,300 Speaker 2: Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror long 41 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,500 Speaker 2: enough to have that mini existential moment where you think, 42 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,810 Speaker 2: who am I really? For many of us, our sense 43 00:03:16,850 --> 00:03:19,690 Speaker 2: of identity ebbs and flows with the various seasons of 44 00:03:19,770 --> 00:03:23,650 Speaker 2: life as we grow and change with our surroundings. Our 45 00:03:23,710 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 2: interests change, our priorities shift, our relationships begin and then end. 46 00:03:29,620 --> 00:03:33,100 Speaker 2: When our circumstances and relationships are put under strain, it 47 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:35,630 Speaker 2: can be easy to lose sense of who we are. 48 00:03:36,170 --> 00:03:38,710 Speaker 2: In the midst of it all, it's very easy to 49 00:03:38,750 --> 00:03:41,809 Speaker 2: feel out of control. But what if our identity could 50 00:03:41,830 --> 00:03:45,100 Speaker 2: be much more stable? Paul writes in Galatians 2.20, I 51 00:03:45,300 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 2: have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live 52 00:03:48,820 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 2: but Christ lives in me. The life I now live 53 00:03:52,340 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 2: in the body, I live by faith in the Son 54 00:03:54,620 --> 00:03:57,540 Speaker 2: of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. 55 00:03:57,980 --> 00:04:01,410 Speaker 2: It's incredible what we'll discover when we answer Jesus' call 56 00:04:01,430 --> 00:04:04,430 Speaker 2: to follow him. As we learn about him, we find 57 00:04:04,470 --> 00:04:07,970 Speaker 2: that we have much to learn about ourselves too. Welcome 58 00:04:08,110 --> 00:04:11,310 Speaker 2: to the Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the 59 00:04:11,370 --> 00:04:13,770 Speaker 2: depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. 60 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 2: I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, and I'm excited to 61 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 2: be with you today as we begin a new study 62 00:04:19,700 --> 00:04:23,380 Speaker 2: through 20 unique encounters Jesus had in his earthly ministry. 63 00:04:23,900 --> 00:04:27,810 Speaker 2: These people all have different stories, struggles, and shortcomings. But 64 00:04:27,870 --> 00:04:30,830 Speaker 2: what isn't unique about each of these individuals is what 65 00:04:30,890 --> 00:04:34,770 Speaker 2: society labeled them as, outcasts. Make sure to follow this 66 00:04:34,810 --> 00:04:38,180 Speaker 2: podcast as we explore the transformative depths of God's love 67 00:04:38,339 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 2: made available to everyone. In our first story of this mini-series, 68 00:04:42,060 --> 00:04:44,420 Speaker 2: we'll be introduced to a man named Simon, but you 69 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,820 Speaker 2: may know him as Peter. On the surface, Simon was 70 00:04:47,860 --> 00:04:50,910 Speaker 2: a meager fisherman simply looking to make ends meet. But 71 00:04:51,010 --> 00:04:53,550 Speaker 2: underneath it all, the weight of life's struggles eat away 72 00:04:53,610 --> 00:04:56,430 Speaker 2: at his sense of purpose. With each passing day, the 73 00:04:56,490 --> 00:04:59,410 Speaker 2: lull of repetition and failure, alongside the doubts of being 74 00:04:59,450 --> 00:05:02,100 Speaker 2: able to provide for his family, brings a mixture of 75 00:05:02,250 --> 00:05:06,469 Speaker 2: apathy and discontentment in Simon's life. Without thought, Simon allows 76 00:05:06,529 --> 00:05:09,309 Speaker 2: the internal war of finding his own identity to spill 77 00:05:09,370 --> 00:05:12,010 Speaker 2: out into resentment towards his brother, who seems to be 78 00:05:12,070 --> 00:05:15,870 Speaker 2: finding purpose beyond life of the Sea of Galilee. In 79 00:05:15,910 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 2: a moment of what some might call coincidence, he meets Jesus, 80 00:05:19,330 --> 00:05:22,219 Speaker 2: the promised Lamb of God. Though he may not have 81 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: known it at the time, his initial encounter with Jesus 82 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 2: would change the trajectory of his life forever. Join me 83 00:05:29,020 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 2: as we discover Peter's story and learn that our true 84 00:05:31,820 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: identities can't be manufactured in and of ourselves, but can 85 00:05:35,420 --> 00:05:37,460 Speaker 2: only be found by following Jesus. 86 00:05:40,110 --> 00:05:44,610 Speaker 1: Simon leaned his forehead against the mast. The boat bobbed 87 00:05:44,730 --> 00:05:49,729 Speaker 1: up and down, slowly lulling him to sleep. He groaned, 88 00:05:50,510 --> 00:05:52,450 Speaker 1: knocked his head over and over again on the wood. 89 00:05:54,330 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 3: All night, Andrew. All night. We're fishermen. And it's been 90 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,510 Speaker 3: weeks since we've even smelt a fish. 91 00:06:04,490 --> 00:06:07,130 Speaker 1: Simon threw himself face first into a pile of nets 92 00:06:07,870 --> 00:06:11,750 Speaker 1: and moaned to his brother. They had toiled all night 93 00:06:12,050 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: to no avail. Their nets were empty, just like their pockets. 94 00:06:18,820 --> 00:06:21,420 Speaker 3: If we don't haul in a catch soon, the tax 95 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 3: collectors will come knocking on my door and take my 96 00:06:24,820 --> 00:06:28,710 Speaker 3: wife's earrings right off her ears. What are we going 97 00:06:28,730 --> 00:06:29,070 Speaker 3: to do? 98 00:06:30,310 --> 00:06:33,060 Speaker 4: Perhaps we shouldn't be fishermen, Andrew said with a shrug. 99 00:06:34,260 --> 00:06:36,580 Speaker 1: He threw the anchor off the boat and tightened the rope, 100 00:06:37,180 --> 00:06:38,420 Speaker 1: securing it close to shore. 101 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 4: Maybe we're meant to do something else. 102 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 3: Don't start that again, Andrew. I've heard enough about your 103 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,500 Speaker 3: locust-eating friend with the loud voice. 104 00:06:52,820 --> 00:06:57,900 Speaker 1: Simon was referring to John the Baptizer. Andrew had been 105 00:06:57,940 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 1: following his teachings for quite some time. Andrew couldn't stop 106 00:07:02,540 --> 00:07:07,530 Speaker 1: talking about him. Andrew came to work every day endlessly 107 00:07:07,650 --> 00:07:11,730 Speaker 1: preaching about repentance, the coming of the Messiah, and making 108 00:07:11,810 --> 00:07:16,650 Speaker 1: way for revolution. It all annoyed Simon to no end. 109 00:07:18,150 --> 00:07:21,900 Speaker 1: If he were being honest, Simon was irritated that his 110 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,239 Speaker 1: brother had found some purpose beyond the monotony of fishing. 111 00:07:27,550 --> 00:07:30,990 Speaker 1: Not that he didn't find fishing in itself a worthwhile profession. 112 00:07:32,950 --> 00:07:35,670 Speaker 1: Perhaps Simon would have found more fulfillment in fishing if 113 00:07:36,420 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: he had been better at it. Yet each day was 114 00:07:40,820 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: a struggle. Simon continually found himself in a maddening circle. 115 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:52,660 Speaker 1: Toiling all night, casting nets, pulling them back to find nothing, 116 00:07:53,020 --> 00:07:57,940 Speaker 1: and casting them out again. Mornings were spent cleaning the 117 00:07:57,980 --> 00:08:03,510 Speaker 1: empty nets. Then, he would sleep to repeat the process. 118 00:08:05,070 --> 00:08:07,370 Speaker 4: You're missing out on something groundbreaking. 119 00:08:08,970 --> 00:08:10,210 Speaker 1: Andrew preached to his brother. 120 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:14,330 Speaker 4: Just the other day, John was baptizing when all of 121 00:08:14,370 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 4: a sudden, a man from Nazareth stopped him in his tracks. 122 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 4: John told us that he was. 123 00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 3: The Lamb of God. Whatever that means. 124 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 4: John was in near tears at the sight of him. 125 00:08:27,540 --> 00:08:33,030 Speaker 3: A random man from Nazareth, you say? Oh yes, sounds groundbreaking. 126 00:08:35,050 --> 00:08:39,370 Speaker 1: Simon replied with a sarcastic smile. He threw his nets 127 00:08:39,429 --> 00:08:41,330 Speaker 1: onto the sand and pulled his hair back. 128 00:08:42,830 --> 00:08:46,050 Speaker 3: Let's clean these nets and get out of here. I'm 129 00:08:46,110 --> 00:08:47,210 Speaker 3: hungry and I need a bath. 130 00:08:49,230 --> 00:08:53,070 Speaker 1: Simon began tending to the nets. His neck ached and 131 00:08:53,110 --> 00:08:55,429 Speaker 1: his eyes were weary from a night that seemed to 132 00:08:55,490 --> 00:09:03,100 Speaker 1: drag on forever. Simon's thoughts bounced from self-loathing to prideful 133 00:09:03,150 --> 00:09:07,380 Speaker 1: denial of his failure. He ran the nets through a 134 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:11,380 Speaker 1: bucket of fresh water. Then he sat down and methodically 135 00:09:11,500 --> 00:09:17,140 Speaker 1: untangled each thread. Another boat paddled up on the right side. 136 00:09:18,020 --> 00:09:22,260 Speaker 1: It was James and John the sons of Zebedee. They 137 00:09:22,340 --> 00:09:27,220 Speaker 1: had fished all night as well and caught nothing. Simon 138 00:09:27,260 --> 00:09:30,660 Speaker 1: gave them a resigned wave and gestured to his empty nets. 139 00:09:31,740 --> 00:09:33,939 Speaker 1: Simon was the only one who hadn't been having any 140 00:09:33,980 --> 00:09:34,679 Speaker 1: luck with fish. 141 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:39,300 Speaker 3: If I can't fish, then who am I? 142 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:45,090 Speaker 1: His words were soft and unheard by the rest. Simon 143 00:09:45,230 --> 00:09:49,350 Speaker 1: had a knot in his chest, a tension of identity 144 00:09:51,020 --> 00:09:53,479 Speaker 1: He had failed at the only thing he had been 145 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:58,410 Speaker 1: asked to do his entire life. If Simon couldn't fish, 146 00:09:59,070 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 1: he couldn't pay off his debt. to the tax collectors. 147 00:10:02,540 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: If he couldn't fish, he couldn't provide for his wife 148 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:10,380 Speaker 1: and sick mother-in-law. Creases of disappointment etched the sides of 149 00:10:10,420 --> 00:10:15,950 Speaker 1: his eyes as Simon worked the nets. Just as he 150 00:10:15,990 --> 00:10:19,610 Speaker 1: was about to finish, a small crowd walked down the beach. 151 00:10:21,830 --> 00:10:25,510 Speaker 1: They were all following a man. He was of average 152 00:10:25,570 --> 00:10:31,590 Speaker 1: height and wore craftsman's garments. However, there was a rabbinical 153 00:10:31,650 --> 00:10:36,940 Speaker 1: sash around his shoulders. Clearly, this man was some sort 154 00:10:36,980 --> 00:10:37,420 Speaker 1: of teacher. 155 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:42,220 Speaker 4: Simon, that's him! That's the man I was telling you about! 156 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:44,740 Speaker 4: The one John said was the Lamb of God! 157 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: Simon rolled his eyes and groaned. The man was approaching 158 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 1: with a couple of dozen people behind him. Joyful clamors 159 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: followed him, and smiles shone brightly on their faces. 160 00:10:59,580 --> 00:11:02,140 Speaker 3: Simon didn't care. 161 00:11:03,420 --> 00:11:06,170 Speaker 1: He wanted to lay down and sleep before facing his wife, 162 00:11:07,050 --> 00:11:10,710 Speaker 1: and telling her once again he'd failed to catch anything. 163 00:11:13,050 --> 00:11:18,990 Speaker 1: Simon folded the last net and began walking away. Before 164 00:11:19,030 --> 00:11:24,470 Speaker 1: he could take two steps, The man called out to him. Shalom, friends. 165 00:11:25,250 --> 00:11:27,810 Speaker 3: My name is Jesus. Would I be able to use 166 00:11:27,830 --> 00:11:30,209 Speaker 3: your boat for a few minutes? The crowd would be 167 00:11:30,250 --> 00:11:32,510 Speaker 3: able to hear me much better if I was up there. 168 00:11:33,370 --> 00:11:38,930 Speaker 1: The stranger's voice was kind but firm. Andrew perked up 169 00:11:38,970 --> 00:11:42,349 Speaker 1: when he spoke, but Simon was still ambivalent. 170 00:11:43,929 --> 00:11:48,340 Speaker 3: Rabbi, we've been fishing all night. We would much rather... 171 00:11:48,580 --> 00:11:49,500 Speaker 3: Of course you can. 172 00:11:50,790 --> 00:11:55,750 Speaker 1: Andrew interrupted with childlike glee. Simon turned to Andrew and 173 00:11:55,790 --> 00:11:58,630 Speaker 1: gave him a glare that only an older brother could give. 174 00:12:01,020 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 1: Simon groaned again and nodded for Jesus to climb aboard. 175 00:12:07,460 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: Jesus steadied his feet and began preaching to the crowd. 176 00:12:12,660 --> 00:12:19,990 Speaker 1: Everyone was transfixed by his words, including Andrew. Simon barely listened. 177 00:12:20,870 --> 00:12:23,550 Speaker 1: dozing off as he leaned his head back against the nets. 178 00:12:25,350 --> 00:12:29,350 Speaker 1: Just as Simon felt perfectly comfortable, Jesus turned to him 179 00:12:29,710 --> 00:12:30,030 Speaker 1: and said. 180 00:12:31,340 --> 00:12:33,500 Speaker 4: Let's go out into the deep and let out your 181 00:12:33,540 --> 00:12:34,380 Speaker 4: nets for a catch. 182 00:12:35,460 --> 00:12:37,460 Speaker 1: Simon rolled his neck back and leaned forward. 183 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:44,929 Speaker 3: Rabbi, with all due respect, we've been fishing all night 184 00:12:45,010 --> 00:12:48,890 Speaker 3: and caught nothing. There's nothing out there for us today. 185 00:12:50,270 --> 00:12:54,929 Speaker 1: Simon looked down at the water. It reflected his disappointment 186 00:12:55,050 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: right back at him. Then he looked at Jesus. There 187 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: was an earnestness about him that somehow made Simon relent. 188 00:13:06,860 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 3: Nevertheless, at your word, I'll try again. 189 00:13:12,750 --> 00:13:17,950 Speaker 1: Simon had faithless faithfulness. He didn't believe anything would happen, 190 00:13:18,870 --> 00:13:24,140 Speaker 1: but wasn't about to argue with Jesus. The two brothers 191 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: rowed the boat out a dozen yards. The water was 192 00:13:27,780 --> 00:13:33,470 Speaker 1: glassy and still. With a reluctant sigh, Simon cast out 193 00:13:33,510 --> 00:13:39,830 Speaker 1: the net. He sat down and waited. A few moments passed, 194 00:13:40,870 --> 00:13:43,270 Speaker 1: and Simon looked at Jesus with a raised eyebrow as 195 00:13:43,350 --> 00:13:49,469 Speaker 1: if to say, Told you so. But just then, Simon 196 00:13:49,490 --> 00:13:53,730 Speaker 1: heard the sound of tightening ropes. The nets became taut, 197 00:13:54,570 --> 00:13:58,850 Speaker 1: and the boat leaned over. Simon and Andrew tumbled to 198 00:13:58,890 --> 00:14:02,209 Speaker 1: the side and looked at the water. It was bubbling 199 00:14:02,270 --> 00:14:02,970 Speaker 1: with activity. 200 00:14:04,250 --> 00:14:05,809 Speaker 3: Pull! Pull the nets! 201 00:14:09,490 --> 00:14:12,230 Speaker 1: Simon and Andrew heaved, but the nets were too heavy 202 00:14:12,309 --> 00:14:12,650 Speaker 1: for them. 203 00:14:13,650 --> 00:14:17,410 Speaker 3: If we don't hold this in soon, they're going to break! 204 00:14:19,930 --> 00:14:22,230 Speaker 1: They waved to James and John to come over and help. 205 00:14:23,190 --> 00:14:25,820 Speaker 1: They paddled swiftly to help haul in the massive catch. 206 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 3: Almost there. Just a few more pushes. 207 00:14:36,100 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: Simon's arms felt tighter than the net's, and his hands 208 00:14:39,780 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: burned under the moving rope. Jesus joined in and grabbed 209 00:14:44,260 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: the edge of the net. With one final pull, They 210 00:14:48,540 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: brought the catch into the boat. Fish scattered throughout the deck, 211 00:14:54,060 --> 00:14:56,170 Speaker 1: so much so that the ship began to sink. 212 00:14:57,550 --> 00:15:02,270 Speaker 3: Bring it in! Bring it in! 213 00:15:03,970 --> 00:15:08,410 Speaker 1: Simon yelled with nervous laughter. James and John loaded fish 214 00:15:08,510 --> 00:15:13,220 Speaker 1: over onto their boat to keep Simon's from sinking. They 215 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 1: reached the shore and leaped with unhindered joy. hugging each 216 00:15:17,580 --> 00:15:22,380 Speaker 1: other and laughing uncontrollably. Standing in the background of laughter 217 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: and pats on the back was Jesus. He leaned against 218 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:33,780 Speaker 1: the mast of Simon's boat with a satisfied grin. Simon 219 00:15:33,900 --> 00:15:39,510 Speaker 1: held his head and laughed. But his laughter slowly turned 220 00:15:39,570 --> 00:15:45,130 Speaker 1: upside down and he was overcome with grief. He looked 221 00:15:45,170 --> 00:15:47,060 Speaker 1: to Jesus and shook his head. 222 00:15:48,500 --> 00:15:49,660 Speaker 3: Who are you? 223 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:58,790 Speaker 1: He whispered. But the answer was clear. He was exactly 224 00:15:58,870 --> 00:16:03,350 Speaker 1: who Andrew said he was. He was the Lamb of God, 225 00:16:04,450 --> 00:16:12,030 Speaker 1: the hope of Israel, the Messiah. With a quivering lip 226 00:16:12,130 --> 00:16:17,810 Speaker 1: and furled brow, Simon fell to his knees, He knew 227 00:16:17,830 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: this was a miracle. Simon knew that Jesus was the 228 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: reason he had caught such an enormous catch. He felt 229 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:30,540 Speaker 1: unworthy of such a gesture. He felt the sting of 230 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:35,220 Speaker 1: an undeserved blessing. Who was he to receive such a gift? 231 00:16:36,590 --> 00:16:38,990 Speaker 1: Who was he to be in the presence of someone 232 00:16:39,110 --> 00:16:44,770 Speaker 1: so powerful and holy? Simon could barely look Jesus in 233 00:16:44,790 --> 00:16:49,770 Speaker 1: the eye. With a shameful glance upward, he whimpered. 234 00:16:49,790 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 3: Depart from me, Lord. Depart from me, for I am 235 00:16:56,460 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 3: a sinful man. 236 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:03,700 Speaker 1: Simon was shaking with shame. His heart ached from years 237 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:10,369 Speaker 1: of anger, sin, and self-doubt. Jesus, with compassionate eyes and 238 00:17:10,390 --> 00:17:11,770 Speaker 1: a warm heart, said. 239 00:17:12,970 --> 00:17:14,209 Speaker 3: You are fearful, Simon. 240 00:17:14,230 --> 00:17:14,990 Speaker 2: I understand. 241 00:17:15,010 --> 00:17:15,750 Speaker 3: I understand. 242 00:17:17,750 --> 00:17:20,770 Speaker 1: Jesus leaned down to Simon and placed a hand on 243 00:17:20,810 --> 00:17:27,090 Speaker 1: his shoulder. He met Simon at eye level, gazing into 244 00:17:27,170 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: his soul and all the insecurities that had plagued him. 245 00:17:32,500 --> 00:17:33,420 Speaker 3: Follow me, Simon. 246 00:17:34,220 --> 00:17:38,580 Speaker 4: Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men. 247 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 1: Simon looked Jesus in the eyes. They were glassy and 248 00:17:45,900 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 1: still like water, only they didn't reflect his insecurity. Instead, 249 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:58,400 Speaker 1: Simon saw glimpses of his destiny. The aimlessness and self-doubt 250 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,640 Speaker 1: weighing him down had sunk to the bottom of the sea. 251 00:18:05,340 --> 00:18:08,780 Speaker 1: Simon stood up and left the fish to rot in 252 00:18:08,820 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: the nets. He didn't need them anymore. Fishing had been 253 00:18:14,010 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: a trade, but it was never who he was. Jesus 254 00:18:19,660 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 1: saw the man behind the nets and the wounded soul 255 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:29,300 Speaker 1: underneath that rugged veneer. Simon was a boisterous, fighty, and 256 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 1: fragile sinner indeed. But it doesn't matter who you are 257 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:40,889 Speaker 1: before Jesus calls you. What matters is who you become 258 00:18:42,369 --> 00:18:43,710 Speaker 1: once you begin to follow him. 259 00:18:46,630 --> 00:18:49,179 Speaker 2: In Matthew 4, we enter into some of the earliest 260 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,580 Speaker 2: moments of Jesus' public ministry. Having spent the majority of 261 00:18:52,619 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 2: his life as a humble carpenter in the lackluster city 262 00:18:55,140 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 2: of Nazareth, Jesus is quickly gaining traction among the local community. 263 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,899 Speaker 2: It's no wonder why this might be. According to Matthew 7, 264 00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 2: the crowds were amazed at his teachings because he taught 265 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 2: as one who had authority. While many of the other 266 00:19:08,460 --> 00:19:11,380 Speaker 2: rabbis and teachers of the time would just recycle truths 267 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,690 Speaker 2: that they heard from one another, Jesus had original thoughts. 268 00:19:15,109 --> 00:19:17,770 Speaker 2: And they weren't just original thoughts, they were scandalous, but 269 00:19:17,869 --> 00:19:19,770 Speaker 2: they also cut straight to the heart in a way 270 00:19:19,810 --> 00:19:23,790 Speaker 2: that they had never heard before. People were awakening to Jesus' 271 00:19:23,850 --> 00:19:26,910 Speaker 2: words and his ministry. The message of the coming kingdom 272 00:19:26,930 --> 00:19:29,710 Speaker 2: of God that Jesus shared was profound. It offered a 273 00:19:29,750 --> 00:19:32,020 Speaker 2: deeper look into the human soul than the vapid and 274 00:19:32,060 --> 00:19:36,140 Speaker 2: repetitive teachings of his contemporaries. But Jesus offered more than 275 00:19:36,220 --> 00:19:39,820 Speaker 2: in-depth teachings. He was paving the way for a revolution. 276 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:42,880 Speaker 2: And it wasn't a revolution of politics, coups, or violence, 277 00:19:42,980 --> 00:19:45,010 Speaker 2: nor was he making a bid to the throne and 278 00:19:45,070 --> 00:19:48,990 Speaker 2: ascend to political power. The Jesus revolution was a radical 279 00:19:49,090 --> 00:19:52,300 Speaker 2: transformation of how we view God, his kingdom, this world, 280 00:19:52,390 --> 00:19:56,220 Speaker 2: and even ourselves, if we allow it. As we saw 281 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 2: in today's story, Jesus spoke to the masses, but deliberately 282 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:03,730 Speaker 2: ministered to individuals. Individuals like Simon. Individuals who were on 283 00:20:03,750 --> 00:20:07,330 Speaker 2: the fringes and felt forgotten or perhaps ineffectual in their lives. 284 00:20:07,950 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 2: Individuals who identified as failures and outcasts. Even individuals who 285 00:20:12,890 --> 00:20:16,020 Speaker 2: had no sense of identity at all. These were the 286 00:20:16,140 --> 00:20:19,460 Speaker 2: ones Jesus personally called to follow him because he knew 287 00:20:19,540 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 2: they were blank canvases to create masterpieces on. Where others 288 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 2: see failure, Jesus sees opportunity. Where some see success, Jesus 289 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:30,139 Speaker 2: sees pride. Jesus doesn't look at the world through our 290 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,859 Speaker 2: lens of success and failure. He looks deeper and into eternity, 291 00:20:34,220 --> 00:20:37,330 Speaker 2: seeing beyond the accolades and straight into the heart. When 292 00:20:37,369 --> 00:20:40,850 Speaker 2: people have a self-determined mission or sense of identity, they're 293 00:20:40,910 --> 00:20:44,490 Speaker 2: often hesitant to relinquish control. The danger of finding purpose 294 00:20:44,510 --> 00:20:47,270 Speaker 2: and identity within ourselves is that as quickly as we 295 00:20:47,310 --> 00:20:50,750 Speaker 2: can build ourselves up, we can be torn down. Maybe 296 00:20:50,830 --> 00:20:53,109 Speaker 2: you lose your job, mourn the loss of a loved one, 297 00:20:53,230 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 2: or struggle in a relationship. With each of these blows 298 00:20:56,100 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 2: to the ego, our identity wavers until it's bound to crumble. 299 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 2: You see, centering our identities on something like a profession 300 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:07,780 Speaker 2: or a relationship or a hobby is shaky footing and 301 00:21:07,859 --> 00:21:12,660 Speaker 2: shaky ground. Things change, but the Lord remains the same forever. 302 00:21:13,180 --> 00:21:16,820 Speaker 2: We need a stronger foundation for our identities. So, how 303 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:19,760 Speaker 2: might we have a deeper sense of identity? Well, like Simon, 304 00:21:20,060 --> 00:21:23,710 Speaker 2: it begins with looking to Jesus. Think about the difference 305 00:21:23,750 --> 00:21:25,830 Speaker 2: between the moment of looking at yourself in the mirror 306 00:21:26,090 --> 00:21:28,930 Speaker 2: and the moment Simon gazed into the eyes of the Messiah. 307 00:21:29,430 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 2: How quickly we can go from pondering who am I 308 00:21:32,180 --> 00:21:35,460 Speaker 2: to seeing everything we can be through Jesus Christ. You see, 309 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:39,740 Speaker 2: knowing God gives us a greater understanding of ourselves. When 310 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:42,260 Speaker 2: we look at ourselves through God's eyes, our purpose becomes 311 00:21:42,420 --> 00:21:45,860 Speaker 2: much more clear. When we anchor our identities in Christ, 312 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:49,140 Speaker 2: we feel less anxious and out of control. Who God 313 00:21:49,340 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 2: is and what He has called us to do is 314 00:21:51,500 --> 00:21:54,459 Speaker 2: a far more firm and steady base to build our 315 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:57,340 Speaker 2: identities upon. He's not a God who looks down on 316 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,379 Speaker 2: us with disdain or frustration for our failures. He is 317 00:22:00,420 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 2: a loving Father who looks at us with compassion and 318 00:22:03,340 --> 00:22:06,380 Speaker 2: calls us to be His children. When we submit ourselves 319 00:22:06,420 --> 00:22:09,140 Speaker 2: to following Jesus, we are welcomed into his loving arms, 320 00:22:09,540 --> 00:22:12,270 Speaker 2: the starting point of understanding who we really are meant 321 00:22:12,310 --> 00:22:15,689 Speaker 2: to be. As Peter contemplates the bleak night of fishing, 322 00:22:15,990 --> 00:22:19,260 Speaker 2: he finds himself mulling over his purpose and his identity. 323 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:23,220 Speaker 2: Since he attached his purpose to his profession, he inevitably 324 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:26,720 Speaker 2: associated himself as a failure because he was failing to 325 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:29,780 Speaker 2: catch fish. And so hard set in his ways he 326 00:22:29,859 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 2: was that he turned a deaf ear to his brother 327 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 2: who spoke of possible hope and finding more in life 328 00:22:35,020 --> 00:22:39,149 Speaker 2: than just fishing. Simon's ambivalence towards his brother's message is 329 00:22:39,190 --> 00:22:42,410 Speaker 2: a warning for all of us. It demonstrates that ambivalence 330 00:22:42,450 --> 00:22:45,449 Speaker 2: towards Jesus can hinder if not prevent our ability to 331 00:22:45,510 --> 00:22:48,750 Speaker 2: admire him. Don't be too quick to dismiss others when 332 00:22:48,790 --> 00:22:50,330 Speaker 2: they want to share what God is doing. 333 00:22:50,170 --> 00:22:50,730 Speaker 1: In their lives. 334 00:22:51,270 --> 00:22:53,590 Speaker 2: You may think, oh yeah, I've heard it, I've heard it, 335 00:22:53,630 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 2: I've heard it. You don't need to tell me about it. 336 00:22:55,780 --> 00:22:59,120 Speaker 2: I've been to church. I've heard the messages. Stop preaching 337 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,460 Speaker 2: to me. But hold on. Maybe someone is getting a 338 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:05,780 Speaker 2: glimpse into God's character that you have yet to peer into. 339 00:23:06,260 --> 00:23:09,460 Speaker 2: Maybe someone has found purpose and joy worth sharing to you. 340 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,700 Speaker 2: Andrew had a testimony to share, but Simon was too 341 00:23:12,940 --> 00:23:16,490 Speaker 2: agitated and consumed with himself to listen. he needed to 342 00:23:16,550 --> 00:23:19,450 Speaker 2: wake up to what was happening. It wasn't until Simon 343 00:23:19,470 --> 00:23:22,390 Speaker 2: appreciated the significant role Jesus could play in his life 344 00:23:22,670 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 2: that he turned his heart towards adoration. And all it 345 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 2: took was a simple act of obedience. You see, at 346 00:23:28,859 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 2: first Simon was ambivalent about Jesus, but I love how 347 00:23:32,140 --> 00:23:36,179 Speaker 2: he still had the attitude of, well, nevertheless, let's do it. 348 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:39,919 Speaker 2: Sometimes that's all it takes. Faithless faithfulness is what I 349 00:23:39,940 --> 00:23:42,810 Speaker 2: like to call it. There's something honest about this entire 350 00:23:42,869 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 2: interaction that Peter has with Jesus. He isn't sure what 351 00:23:46,380 --> 00:23:49,909 Speaker 2: Jesus is up to, but he obeys nonetheless. You see, 352 00:23:49,950 --> 00:23:52,189 Speaker 2: God can do a lot with that attitude. He can 353 00:23:52,230 --> 00:23:54,370 Speaker 2: do a lot with our willingness to obey him even 354 00:23:54,410 --> 00:23:57,869 Speaker 2: when we're irritated, doubtful, tired, and aren't sure what's going 355 00:23:57,890 --> 00:24:01,340 Speaker 2: to come of it. So, even in reluctance, Peter's faithless 356 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:04,500 Speaker 2: faithfulness to obey the instruction of Jesus gave him the 357 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 2: opportunity to witness a mere glimpse of his power. And 358 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 2: if Jesus can fill Peter's empty nets, maybe he could 359 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:14,490 Speaker 2: fill his empty hearts if given the chance. Surely, if 360 00:24:14,530 --> 00:24:17,300 Speaker 2: this stranger from Nazareth seemed to work with a greater purpose, 361 00:24:17,630 --> 00:24:21,179 Speaker 2: even this lowly fisherman from Galilee could too. We can 362 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 2: trust that God has a special plan for each of 363 00:24:23,260 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 2: our lives. While we may not know every single detail 364 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:29,160 Speaker 2: of that plan, we can be sure that our purpose 365 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:32,439 Speaker 2: of following Jesus, being made more like Him, and glorifying 366 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:35,590 Speaker 2: Him along the way will never change. And all it 367 00:24:35,619 --> 00:24:38,350 Speaker 2: takes is our willingness to follow Him with humble hearts 368 00:24:38,390 --> 00:24:42,170 Speaker 2: of service and gratitude. Perhaps the plan isn't exactly what 369 00:24:42,230 --> 00:24:47,379 Speaker 2: we expect or even can rest assured that God is 370 00:24:47,410 --> 00:24:51,180 Speaker 2: in perfect control with each step. May we all experience 371 00:24:51,220 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 2: the glorious intersection of God's grace and our efforts. We 372 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:56,940 Speaker 2: can cling tightly to the fact that there is a 373 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,939 Speaker 2: greater good God wants to accomplish in and through us 374 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:03,379 Speaker 2: while holding loosely to what that looks like precisely. You see, 375 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:06,439 Speaker 2: you're not supposed to know every single detail of God's plan. 376 00:25:06,900 --> 00:25:09,220 Speaker 2: If you knew all of God's plan mapped out from 377 00:25:09,260 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 2: beginning to end, you would just be looking for shortcuts 378 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,540 Speaker 2: along the way. Jesus doesn't want to just show you 379 00:25:14,580 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 2: the end goal of what you're going to be. He 380 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:19,010 Speaker 2: wants you to follow him. He wants to take you 381 00:25:19,070 --> 00:25:23,250 Speaker 2: along a journey and a process. It doesn't take great skill, eloquence, 382 00:25:23,290 --> 00:25:26,970 Speaker 2: or charisma. It takes willing hearts and hands. In our story, 383 00:25:27,010 --> 00:25:29,230 Speaker 2: we also met some fellow fishermen, one of them by 384 00:25:29,250 --> 00:25:31,790 Speaker 2: the name of John. This man would also become one 385 00:25:31,810 --> 00:25:35,070 Speaker 2: of Jesus' closest disciples and a prolific leader in the 386 00:25:35,130 --> 00:25:38,180 Speaker 2: early church. Eventually, he would write these words in 1 387 00:25:38,180 --> 00:25:41,189 Speaker 2: John 3, 2. Beloved, we are God's children now, and 388 00:25:41,250 --> 00:25:43,970 Speaker 2: what we will be has yet to appear. But we 389 00:25:44,070 --> 00:25:46,430 Speaker 2: know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, 390 00:25:46,670 --> 00:25:49,790 Speaker 2: because we shall see Him as He is. We don't 391 00:25:49,830 --> 00:25:52,430 Speaker 2: know the specifics of how God will uniquely work in 392 00:25:52,470 --> 00:25:54,919 Speaker 2: our individual lives, but each of us, from the most 393 00:25:54,980 --> 00:25:58,119 Speaker 2: socially accepted to the furthest outcast, has been given a 394 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:01,580 Speaker 2: purpose and a promise of being made like Jesus if 395 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:05,030 Speaker 2: we pursue Him. What a glorious purpose that is. A 396 00:26:05,070 --> 00:26:08,270 Speaker 2: purpose that compels us onward. Our last point here is 397 00:26:08,330 --> 00:26:10,629 Speaker 2: that it might seem daunting to walk away from the 398 00:26:10,670 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 2: life we know, but it's worth it. Simon and Andrew's 399 00:26:14,260 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 2: nets were empty and they weren't very good fishermen, clearly. 400 00:26:17,380 --> 00:26:19,640 Speaker 2: But at least they knew what their life looked like. 401 00:26:20,100 --> 00:26:22,460 Speaker 2: At least there was a predictability, even if it was 402 00:26:22,500 --> 00:26:25,720 Speaker 2: predictability and monotony. But to see a change, we have 403 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,379 Speaker 2: to make a change. We have to stop looking inward 404 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 2: to find purpose and identity and begin to look to Jesus. 405 00:26:31,820 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 2: We have to change our perception of what's possible and 406 00:26:34,060 --> 00:26:36,850 Speaker 2: believe that our God is a God of miracles. And 407 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:40,750 Speaker 2: our God can work miracles in our mundane and ineffectual lives. 408 00:26:41,410 --> 00:26:43,149 Speaker 2: We have to look beyond the mundane to see the 409 00:26:43,230 --> 00:26:47,490 Speaker 2: splendor of a life lived for and by Jesus. So, 410 00:26:47,690 --> 00:26:49,889 Speaker 2: I encourage you to allow Jesus into your life and 411 00:26:49,950 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 2: leave nothing hidden from Him. The more you give Him, 412 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 2: the more He will change you. God doesn't want to 413 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 2: improve you. He wants to give you an entirely new life. 414 00:26:58,260 --> 00:27:01,140 Speaker 2: And maybe like Simon, we're not perfect, but a life 415 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:04,390 Speaker 2: of faith is not marked by perfection, but by consistency. 416 00:27:05,050 --> 00:27:08,210 Speaker 2: Receive God's mercy that are new every morning and take 417 00:27:08,250 --> 00:27:11,170 Speaker 2: that step of faith today. Failure isn't the end of faith. 418 00:27:11,270 --> 00:27:14,209 Speaker 2: It's part of the process. So follow Jesus and you 419 00:27:14,250 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 2: might just be surprised at what you'll find if you 420 00:27:16,980 --> 00:27:20,429 Speaker 2: decide to give him your all. In our next story, 421 00:27:20,550 --> 00:27:23,939 Speaker 2: we're going to meet another one of Jesus's 12 disciples. 422 00:27:24,380 --> 00:27:28,300 Speaker 2: This man is often unseen and unheralded in scripture, but 423 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:30,830 Speaker 2: we want to give him some light. It's a man 424 00:27:31,090 --> 00:27:33,590 Speaker 2: named Nathaniel. Thanks for joining us for. 425 00:27:33,490 --> 00:27:34,609 Speaker 3: The Jesus podcast. 426 00:27:34,730 --> 00:27:37,030 Speaker 2: If you haven't yet followed, make sure to do so. 427 00:27:37,369 --> 00:27:39,900 Speaker 2: That way you never have to miss an episode and 428 00:27:39,940 --> 00:27:42,260 Speaker 2: it helps us to get seen by more people. Thanks 429 00:27:42,300 --> 00:27:45,020 Speaker 2: for making the mission possible. We love that you're here 430 00:27:45,300 --> 00:27:47,379 Speaker 2: and we love that you continue this journey with us.