1 00:00:01,250 --> 00:00:04,899 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 00:00:11,960 --> 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 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: we often feel weak and undeserving of the calling you've 6 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:28,340 Speaker 1: set before us. But we declare that it's not who 7 00:00:28,420 --> 00:00:32,840 Speaker 1: we were that matters. but who we will become and 8 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:37,700 Speaker 1: who you will make us into. You will make us great. 9 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:43,050 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 00:00:47,790 --> 00:00:54,750 Speaker 1: and hands to use for your kingdom. So, today, we 12 00:00:54,810 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: declare surrender to you. Use us, Lord, for your glory. 13 00:01:00,250 --> 00:01:00,750 Speaker 2: And your good. 14 00:01:02,150 --> 00:01:03,570 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray. 15 00:01:04,970 --> 00:01:05,230 Speaker 2: Amen. 16 00:01:07,410 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 17 00:01:10,310 --> 00:01:15,020 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Dramatic stories from the gospel told in 18 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:19,620 Speaker 1: new and exciting ways. Keep listening to hear the gospel-inspired 19 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:24,410 Speaker 1: story of Simon and how Jesus brought meaning to his life. 20 00:01:25,310 --> 00:01:28,730 Speaker 1: If this podcast has brought value to your faith, We'd 21 00:01:28,810 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 1: love it if you left a review and shared it 22 00:01:30,950 --> 00:01:33,899 Speaker 1: with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to 23 00:01:33,940 --> 00:01:37,980 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world. Because when Jesus' story is told, 24 00:01:38,540 --> 00:01:45,610 Speaker 1: lives are transformed. Gulls flew overhead as the sun crested 25 00:01:45,670 --> 00:01:50,770 Speaker 1: gently above the horizon. The water was painted in light, 26 00:01:51,510 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: shimmering with bright orange and pink. Simon rowed his boat. 27 00:01:58,430 --> 00:02:03,700 Speaker 1: cutting through the glassy, incandescent water. He was numb to 28 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: the beauty of the morning. All he could think about 29 00:02:07,860 --> 00:02:08,580 Speaker 1: was his failure. 30 00:02:10,300 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 2: Another night, no fish, he grumbled. 31 00:02:16,050 --> 00:02:18,550 Speaker 1: He and his brother Andrew had been up all night 32 00:02:18,590 --> 00:02:22,269 Speaker 1: casting their nets for fish, but the sea yielded nothing. 33 00:02:24,950 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: In the deeper parts of Simon's mind, He wondered if 34 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:34,380 Speaker 1: God was playing games with him. He rowed in frustration 35 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:40,930 Speaker 1: until the boat finally made it to the shore. Simon 36 00:02:41,030 --> 00:02:43,810 Speaker 1: leaned his forehead against the mast and sighed. 37 00:02:46,330 --> 00:02:46,970 Speaker 2: Worthless. 38 00:02:48,450 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 1: Simon resigned himself to a life of toil and aimlessness. 39 00:02:55,060 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: Little did he know, His destiny was walking toward him, 40 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,180 Speaker 1: just a few paces up the shore. 41 00:03:08,300 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 3: Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror long 42 00:03:10,340 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 3: enough to have that mini existential moment where you think, 43 00:03:13,980 --> 00:03:16,780 Speaker 3: who am I really? For many of us, our sense 44 00:03:16,820 --> 00:03:19,660 Speaker 3: of identity ebbs and flows with the various seasons of 45 00:03:19,740 --> 00:03:23,620 Speaker 3: life as we grow and change with our surroundings. Our 46 00:03:23,690 --> 00:03:29,030 Speaker 3: interests change, our priorities shift. our relationships begin and then end. 47 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,090 Speaker 3: When our circumstances and relationships are put under strain, it 48 00:03:33,110 --> 00:03:35,610 Speaker 3: can be easy to lose sense of who we are. 49 00:03:36,150 --> 00:03:38,690 Speaker 3: In the midst of it all, it's very easy to 50 00:03:38,730 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 3: feel out of control. But what if our identity could 51 00:03:41,820 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 3: be much more stable? Paul writes in Galatians 2.20, I 52 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,500 Speaker 3: have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live 53 00:03:48,820 --> 00:03:52,220 Speaker 3: but Christ lives in me. The life I now live 54 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:54,590 Speaker 3: in the body, I live by faith in the Son 55 00:03:54,610 --> 00:03:57,530 Speaker 3: of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. 56 00:03:57,970 --> 00:04:01,390 Speaker 3: It's incredible what we'll discover when we answer Jesus' call 57 00:04:01,430 --> 00:04:04,410 Speaker 3: to follow him. As we learn about him, we find 58 00:04:04,450 --> 00:04:07,950 Speaker 3: that we have much to learn about ourselves too. Welcome 59 00:04:08,090 --> 00:04:11,290 Speaker 3: to the Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the 60 00:04:11,350 --> 00:04:13,750 Speaker 3: depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. 61 00:04:14,300 --> 00:04:17,339 Speaker 3: I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, and I'm excited to 62 00:04:17,380 --> 00:04:19,380 Speaker 3: be with you today as we begin a new study 63 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:23,370 Speaker 3: through 20 unique encounters Jesus had in his earthly ministry. 64 00:04:23,890 --> 00:04:27,790 Speaker 3: These people all have different stories, struggles, and shortcomings. But 65 00:04:27,850 --> 00:04:30,830 Speaker 3: what isn't unique about each of these individuals is what 66 00:04:30,870 --> 00:04:34,750 Speaker 3: society labeled them as, outcasts. Make sure to follow this 67 00:04:34,790 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 3: podcast as we explore the transformative depths of God's love 68 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,980 Speaker 3: made available to everyone. In our first story of this mini-series, 69 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 3: we'll be introduced to a man named Simon, but you 70 00:04:44,460 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 3: may know him as Peter. On the surface, Simon was 71 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 3: a meager fisherman simply looking to make ends meet. But 72 00:04:50,980 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 3: underneath it all, the weight of life's struggles eat away 73 00:04:53,580 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 3: at his sense of purpose. With each passing day, the 74 00:04:56,460 --> 00:04:59,390 Speaker 3: lull of repetition and failure, alongside the doubts of being 75 00:04:59,430 --> 00:05:02,070 Speaker 3: able to provide for his family, brings a mixture of 76 00:05:02,230 --> 00:05:06,450 Speaker 3: apathy and discontentment in Simon's life. Without thought, Simon allows 77 00:05:06,510 --> 00:05:09,289 Speaker 3: the internal war of finding his own identity to spill 78 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 3: out into resentment towards his brother, who seems to be 79 00:05:12,060 --> 00:05:15,859 Speaker 3: finding purpose beyond life of the Sea of Galilee. In 80 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:19,220 Speaker 3: a moment of what some might call coincidence, he meets Jesus, 81 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,210 Speaker 3: the promised Lamb of God. Though he may not have 82 00:05:22,270 --> 00:05:25,230 Speaker 3: known it at the time, his initial encounter with Jesus 83 00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:28,940 Speaker 3: would change the trajectory of his life forever. Join me 84 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,700 Speaker 3: as we discover Peter's story and learn that our true 85 00:05:31,790 --> 00:05:35,310 Speaker 3: identities can't be manufactured in and of ourselves, but can 86 00:05:35,410 --> 00:05:37,450 Speaker 3: only be found by following Jesus. 87 00:05:40,089 --> 00:05:44,590 Speaker 1: Simon leaned his forehead against the mast. The boat bobbed 88 00:05:44,710 --> 00:05:49,710 Speaker 1: up and down, slowly lulling him to sleep. He groaned, 89 00:05:50,500 --> 00:05:52,460 Speaker 1: knocked his head over and over again on the wood. 90 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:59,550 Speaker 2: All night, Andrew. All night. We're fishermen. And it's been 91 00:05:59,710 --> 00:06:02,490 Speaker 2: weeks since we've even smelt a fish. 92 00:06:04,470 --> 00:06:07,110 Speaker 1: Simon threw himself face first into a pile of nets 93 00:06:07,850 --> 00:06:11,740 Speaker 1: and moaned to his brother. They had toiled all night 94 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: to no avail. Their nets were empty, just like their pockets. 95 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:21,419 Speaker 2: If we don't haul in a catch soon, the tax 96 00:06:21,460 --> 00:06:24,740 Speaker 2: collectors will come knocking on my door and take my 97 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:28,700 Speaker 2: wife's earrings right off her ears. What are we going 98 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:31,740 Speaker 2: to do? Perhaps we shouldn't be fishermen. 99 00:06:32,020 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: Andrew said with a shrug. He threw the anchor off 100 00:06:35,260 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 1: the boat and tightened the rope, securing it close to shore. 101 00:06:40,300 --> 00:06:41,820 Speaker 4: Maybe we're meant to do something else. 102 00:06:43,100 --> 00:06:47,580 Speaker 2: Don't start that again, Andrew. I've heard enough about your 103 00:06:47,990 --> 00:06:50,489 Speaker 2: locust-eating friend with the loud voice. 104 00:06:52,810 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: Simon was referring to John the Baptizer. Andrew had been 105 00:06:57,930 --> 00:07:02,470 Speaker 1: following his teachings for quite some time. Andrew couldn't stop 106 00:07:02,529 --> 00:07:07,510 Speaker 1: talking about him. Andrew came to work every day endlessly 107 00:07:07,630 --> 00:07:11,710 Speaker 1: preaching about repentance, the coming of the Messiah, and making 108 00:07:11,790 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: way for revolution. It all annoyed Simon to no end. 109 00:07:18,140 --> 00:07:21,860 Speaker 1: If he were being honest, Simon was irritated that his 110 00:07:21,940 --> 00:07:25,220 Speaker 1: brother had found some purpose beyond the monotony of fishing. 111 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:30,980 Speaker 1: Not that he didn't find fishing in itself a worthwhile profession. 112 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: Perhaps Simon would have found more fulfillment in fishing if 113 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:40,740 Speaker 1: he had been better at it. Yet each day was 114 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:46,940 Speaker 1: a struggle. Simon continually found himself in a maddening circle, 115 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 1: toiling all night, casting nets, pulling them back to find nothing, 116 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:57,930 Speaker 1: and casting them out again. Mornings were spent cleaning the 117 00:07:57,970 --> 00:08:03,470 Speaker 1: empty nets. Then he would sleep to repeat the process. 118 00:08:05,050 --> 00:08:07,350 Speaker 4: You're missing out on something groundbreaking. 119 00:08:08,950 --> 00:08:10,190 Speaker 1: Andrew preached to his brother. 120 00:08:10,970 --> 00:08:14,310 Speaker 4: Just the other day, John was baptizing when all of 121 00:08:14,350 --> 00:08:17,300 Speaker 4: a sudden a man from Nazareth stopped him in his tracks. 122 00:08:18,130 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 4: John told us that he was the Lamb of God. 123 00:08:21,660 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 4: Whatever that means, John... was in near tears at the 124 00:08:25,940 --> 00:08:26,500 Speaker 4: sight of him. 125 00:08:27,540 --> 00:08:33,020 Speaker 2: A random man from Nazareth, you say? Oh, yes. Sounds groundbreaking. 126 00:08:35,020 --> 00:08:39,350 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 --> 00:08:46,030 Speaker 2: Let's clean these nets and get out of here. I'm 129 00:08:46,090 --> 00:08:47,270 Speaker 2: 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 --> 00:09:03,090 Speaker 1: drag on forever. Simon's thoughts bounced from self-loathing to prideful 133 00:09:03,130 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 1: denial of his failure. He ran the nets through a 134 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: bucket of fresh water. Then he sat down and methodically 135 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:17,140 Speaker 1: untangled each thread. Another boat paddled up on the right side. 136 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:22,230 Speaker 1: It was James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They 137 00:09:22,330 --> 00:09:27,209 Speaker 1: had fished all night as well and caught nothing. Simon 138 00:09:27,250 --> 00:09:30,719 Speaker 1: gave them a resigned wave and gestured to his empty nets. 139 00:09:31,740 --> 00:09:33,920 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 00:09:36,140 --> 00:09:39,290 Speaker 2: If I can't fish, then who am I? 142 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:45,069 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 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,470 Speaker 1: He had failed at the only thing he had been 145 00:09:53,540 --> 00:09:58,390 Speaker 1: asked to do his entire life. If Simon couldn't fish, 146 00:09:59,070 --> 00:10:01,310 Speaker 1: he couldn't pay off his debt. to the tax collectors. 147 00:10:02,530 --> 00:10:04,950 Speaker 1: If he couldn't fish, he couldn't provide for his wife 148 00:10:05,030 --> 00:10:10,380 Speaker 1: and sick mother-in-law. Creases of disappointment etched the sides of 149 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:15,940 Speaker 1: his eyes as Simon worked the nets. Just as he 150 00:10:15,980 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: was about to finish, a small crowd walked down the beach. 151 00:10:21,809 --> 00:10:25,490 Speaker 1: They were all following a man. He was of average 152 00:10:25,550 --> 00:10:31,579 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 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: of teacher. 155 00:10:38,900 --> 00:10:40,180 Speaker 2: Simon, that's him! 156 00:10:40,660 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 4: That's the man I was telling you about! 157 00:10:42,220 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 2: The one John said was the Lamb of God! 158 00:10:46,380 --> 00:10:51,370 Speaker 1: Simon rolled his eyes and groaned. The man was approaching 159 00:10:51,429 --> 00:10:56,190 Speaker 1: with a couple of dozen people behind him. Joyful clamors 160 00:10:56,270 --> 00:11:01,620 Speaker 1: followed him, and smiles shone brightly on their faces. Simon 161 00:11:01,660 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: didn't care. He wanted to lay down and sleep before 162 00:11:05,380 --> 00:11:09,860 Speaker 1: facing his wife, and telling her once again he'd failed 163 00:11:09,900 --> 00:11:15,429 Speaker 1: to catch anything. Simon folded the last net and began 164 00:11:15,510 --> 00:11:21,189 Speaker 1: walking away. Before he could take two steps, The man 165 00:11:21,250 --> 00:11:21,930 Speaker 1: called out to him. 166 00:11:23,610 --> 00:11:26,130 Speaker 2: Shalom, friends. My name is Jesus. 167 00:11:26,890 --> 00:11:28,370 Speaker 4: Would I be able to use your boat for a 168 00:11:28,390 --> 00:11:30,870 Speaker 4: few minutes? The crowd would be able to hear me 169 00:11:30,970 --> 00:11:31,910 Speaker 4: much better if I. 170 00:11:31,910 --> 00:11:32,490 Speaker 2: Was up there. 171 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: The stranger's voice was kind but firm. Andrew perked up 172 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,339 Speaker 1: when he spoke, but Simon was still ambivalent. 173 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 2: Rabbi, we've been fishing all night. We would much rather... 174 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 2: Of course you can. 175 00:11:50,770 --> 00:11:55,740 Speaker 1: Andrew interrupted with childlike glee. Simon turned to Andrew and 176 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,620 Speaker 1: gave him a glare that only an older brother could give. 177 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:04,580 Speaker 1: Simon groaned again and nodded for Jesus to climb aboard. 178 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:10,380 Speaker 1: Jesus steadied his feet and began preaching to the crowd. 179 00:12:12,650 --> 00:12:19,969 Speaker 1: Everyone was transfixed by his words, including Andrew. Simon barely listened. 180 00:12:20,870 --> 00:12:23,530 Speaker 1: dozing off as he leaned his head back against the nets. 181 00:12:25,330 --> 00:12:29,330 Speaker 1: Just as Simon felt perfectly comfortable, Jesus turned to him 182 00:12:29,690 --> 00:12:30,030 Speaker 1: and said. 183 00:12:31,309 --> 00:12:33,470 Speaker 4: Let's go out into the deep and let out your 184 00:12:33,530 --> 00:12:34,370 Speaker 4: nets for a catch. 185 00:12:35,429 --> 00:12:37,430 Speaker 1: Simon rolled his neck back and leaned forward. 186 00:12:39,710 --> 00:12:44,890 Speaker 2: Rabbi, with all due respect, we've been fishing all night 187 00:12:44,970 --> 00:12:48,850 Speaker 2: and caught nothing. There's nothing out there for us today. 188 00:12:50,250 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: Simon looked down at the water. It reflected his disappointment 189 00:12:55,040 --> 00:13:01,220 Speaker 1: right back at him. Then he looked at Jesus. There 190 00:13:01,260 --> 00:13:04,700 Speaker 1: was an earnestness about him that somehow made Simon relent. 191 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:11,229 Speaker 2: Nevertheless, at your word, I'll try again. 192 00:13:12,730 --> 00:13:17,950 Speaker 1: Simon had faithless faithfulness. He didn't believe anything would happen, 193 00:13:18,850 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: but wasn't about to argue with Jesus. The two brothers 194 00:13:24,230 --> 00:13:27,710 Speaker 1: rowed the boat out a dozen yards. The water was 195 00:13:27,770 --> 00:13:33,450 Speaker 1: glassy and still. With a reluctant sigh, Simon cast out 196 00:13:33,490 --> 00:13:39,820 Speaker 1: the net. He sat down and waited. A few moments passed, 197 00:13:40,860 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: and Simon looked at Jesus with a raised eyebrow as 198 00:13:43,340 --> 00:13:49,449 Speaker 1: if to say, Told you so. But just then, Simon 199 00:13:49,470 --> 00:13:53,710 Speaker 1: heard the sound of tightening ropes. The nets became taut, 200 00:13:54,550 --> 00:13:58,830 Speaker 1: and the boat leaned over. Simon and Andrew tumbled to 201 00:13:58,870 --> 00:14:02,189 Speaker 1: the side and looked at the water. It was bubbling 202 00:14:02,250 --> 00:14:02,930 Speaker 1: with activity. 203 00:14:04,230 --> 00:14:05,790 Speaker 2: Pull! Pull the nets! 204 00:14:09,470 --> 00:14:12,210 Speaker 1: Simon and Andrew heaved, but the nets were too heavy 205 00:14:12,290 --> 00:14:12,610 Speaker 1: for them. 206 00:14:13,630 --> 00:14:17,390 Speaker 2: If we don't hold this in soon, they're going to break! 207 00:14:19,930 --> 00:14:22,210 Speaker 1: They waved to James and John to come over and help. 208 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:25,820 Speaker 1: They paddled swiftly to help haul in the massive catch. 209 00:14:27,420 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 2: Almost there. Just a few more bushes. 210 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: Simon's arms felt tighter than the net's, and his hands 211 00:14:39,780 --> 00:14:44,220 Speaker 1: burned under the moving rope. Jesus joined in and grabbed 212 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:48,420 Speaker 1: the edge of the net. With one final pull, They 213 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:53,450 Speaker 1: brought the catch into the boat. Fish scattered throughout the deck, 214 00:14:54,050 --> 00:14:56,150 Speaker 1: so much so that the ship began to sink. 215 00:14:57,530 --> 00:15:02,250 Speaker 2: Bring it in! Bring it in! 216 00:15:03,950 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: Simon yelled with nervous laughter. James and John loaded fish 217 00:15:08,500 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: over onto their boat to keep Simon's from sinking. They 218 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:17,460 Speaker 1: reached the shore and leaped with unhindered joy. hugging each 219 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: other and laughing uncontrollably. Standing in the background of laughter 220 00:15:22,460 --> 00:15:27,980 Speaker 1: and pats on the back was Jesus. He leaned against 221 00:15:28,020 --> 00:15:33,760 Speaker 1: the mast of Simon's boat with a satisfied grin. Simon 222 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:39,490 Speaker 1: held his head and laughed. But his laughter slowly turned 223 00:15:39,550 --> 00:15:45,110 Speaker 1: upside down and he was overcome with grief. He looked 224 00:15:45,150 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: to Jesus and shook his head. 225 00:15:48,500 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 2: Who are you? 226 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:58,770 Speaker 1: He whispered. But the answer was clear. He was exactly 227 00:15:58,850 --> 00:16:03,330 Speaker 1: who Andrew said he was. He was the Lamb of God, 228 00:16:04,430 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: the hope of Israel, the Messiah. With a quivering lip 229 00:16:12,140 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: and furled brow, Simon fell to his knees, He knew 230 00:16:17,820 --> 00:16:21,980 Speaker 1: this was a miracle. Simon knew that Jesus was the 231 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,220 Speaker 1: reason he had caught such an enormous catch. He felt 232 00:16:26,300 --> 00:16:30,550 Speaker 1: unworthy of such a gesture. He felt the sting of 233 00:16:30,590 --> 00:16:35,210 Speaker 1: an undeserved blessing. Who was he to receive such a gift? 234 00:16:36,570 --> 00:16:38,970 Speaker 1: Who was he to be in the presence of someone 235 00:16:39,090 --> 00:16:44,760 Speaker 1: so powerful and holy? Simon could barely look Jesus in 236 00:16:44,780 --> 00:16:49,750 Speaker 1: the eye. With a shameful glance upward, he whimpered. 237 00:16:49,770 --> 00:16:56,380 Speaker 2: Depart from me, Lord. Depart from me, for I am 238 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:57,500 Speaker 2: a sinful man. 239 00:16:59,420 --> 00:17:03,700 Speaker 1: Simon was shaking with shame. His heart ached from years 240 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:10,369 Speaker 1: of anger, sin, and self-doubt. Jesus, with compassionate eyes and 241 00:17:10,390 --> 00:17:11,750 Speaker 1: a warm heart, said. 242 00:17:12,970 --> 00:17:15,730 Speaker 2: You are fearful, Simon. I understand. 243 00:17:17,730 --> 00:17:20,750 Speaker 1: Jesus leaned down to Simon and placed a hand on 244 00:17:20,790 --> 00:17:27,100 Speaker 1: his shoulder. He met Simon at eye level, gazing into 245 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: his soul and all the insecurities that had plagued him. 246 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:33,400 Speaker 2: Follow me, Simon. 247 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:38,580 Speaker 4: Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men. 248 00:17:40,619 --> 00:17:45,750 Speaker 1: Simon looked Jesus in the eyes. They were glassy and 249 00:17:45,890 --> 00:17:52,100 Speaker 1: still like water. only they didn't reflect his insecurity. Instead, 250 00:17:52,220 --> 00:17:58,379 Speaker 1: Simon saw glimpses of his destiny. The aimlessness and self-doubt 251 00:17:58,940 --> 00:18:02,620 Speaker 1: weighing him down had sunk to the bottom of the sea. 252 00:18:05,340 --> 00:18:08,770 Speaker 1: Simon stood up and left the fish to rot in 253 00:18:08,810 --> 00:18:13,950 Speaker 1: the nets. He didn't need them anymore. Fishing had been 254 00:18:13,990 --> 00:18:18,980 Speaker 1: a trade, but it was never who he was. Jesus 255 00:18:19,660 --> 00:18:23,220 Speaker 1: saw the man behind the nets and the wounded soul 256 00:18:23,300 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: underneath that rugged veneer. Simon was a boisterous, fighty, and 257 00:18:29,500 --> 00:18:35,030 Speaker 1: fragile sinner indeed. But it doesn't matter who you are 258 00:18:35,510 --> 00:18:40,869 Speaker 1: before Jesus calls you. What matters is who you become 259 00:18:42,350 --> 00:18:43,690 Speaker 1: once you begin to follow him. 260 00:18:46,619 --> 00:18:49,159 Speaker 3: In Matthew 4, we enter into some of the earliest 261 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,570 Speaker 3: moments of Jesus' public ministry. Having spent the majority of 262 00:18:52,609 --> 00:18:55,110 Speaker 3: his life as a humble carpenter in the lackluster city 263 00:18:55,130 --> 00:18:59,060 Speaker 3: of Nazareth, Jesus is quickly gaining traction among the local community. 264 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,879 Speaker 3: It's no wonder why this might be. According to Matthew 7, 265 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:06,140 Speaker 3: the crowds were amazed at his teachings because he taught 266 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 3: as one who had authority. While many of the other 267 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,360 Speaker 3: rabbis and teachers of the time would just recycle truths 268 00:19:11,420 --> 00:19:14,659 Speaker 3: that they heard from one another, Jesus had original thoughts. 269 00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:17,740 Speaker 3: And they weren't just original thoughts, they were scandalous, but 270 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:19,770 Speaker 3: they also cut straight to the heart in a way 271 00:19:19,810 --> 00:19:23,770 Speaker 3: that they had never heard before. People were awakening to Jesus' 272 00:19:23,830 --> 00:19:26,889 Speaker 3: words and his ministry. The message of the coming kingdom 273 00:19:26,910 --> 00:19:29,700 Speaker 3: of God that Jesus shared was profound. It offered a 274 00:19:29,740 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 3: deeper look into the human soul than the vapid and 275 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 3: repetitive teachings of his contemporaries. But Jesus offered more than 276 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 3: in-depth teachings. He was paving the way for a revolution. 277 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:42,870 Speaker 3: And it wasn't a revolution of politics, coups, or violence, 278 00:19:42,970 --> 00:19:44,990 Speaker 3: nor was he making a bid to the throne and 279 00:19:45,050 --> 00:19:48,970 Speaker 3: ascend to political power. The Jesus revolution was a radical 280 00:19:49,070 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 3: transformation of how we view God, his kingdom, this world, 281 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:56,200 Speaker 3: and even ourselves, if we allow it. As we saw 282 00:19:56,220 --> 00:19:59,139 Speaker 3: in today's story, Jesus spoke to the masses, but deliberately 283 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:03,710 Speaker 3: ministered to individuals. Individuals like Simon. Individuals who were on 284 00:20:03,730 --> 00:20:07,320 Speaker 3: the fringes and felt forgotten or perhaps ineffectual in their lives. 285 00:20:07,940 --> 00:20:12,859 Speaker 3: Individuals who identified as failures and outcasts. Even individuals who 286 00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 3: had no sense of identity at all. These were the 287 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:19,440 Speaker 3: ones Jesus personally called to follow him because he knew 288 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:23,270 Speaker 3: they were blank canvases to create masterpieces on. Where others 289 00:20:23,310 --> 00:20:27,270 Speaker 3: see failure, Jesus sees opportunity. Where some see success, Jesus 290 00:20:27,310 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 3: sees pride. Jesus doesn't look at the world through our 291 00:20:30,180 --> 00:20:33,850 Speaker 3: lens of success and failure. He looks deeper and into eternity, 292 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:37,310 Speaker 3: seeing beyond the accolades and straight into the heart. When 293 00:20:37,369 --> 00:20:40,830 Speaker 3: people have a self-determined mission or sense of identity, they're 294 00:20:40,910 --> 00:20:44,470 Speaker 3: often hesitant to relinquish control. The danger of finding purpose 295 00:20:44,510 --> 00:20:47,250 Speaker 3: and identity within ourselves is that as quickly as we 296 00:20:47,290 --> 00:20:50,730 Speaker 3: can build ourselves up, we can be torn down. Maybe 297 00:20:50,820 --> 00:20:53,100 Speaker 3: you lose your job, mourn the loss of a loved one, 298 00:20:53,220 --> 00:20:56,020 Speaker 3: or struggle in a relationship. With each of these blows 299 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:59,540 Speaker 3: to the ego, our identity wavers until it's bound to crumble. 300 00:21:00,180 --> 00:21:03,540 Speaker 3: You see, centering our identities on something like a profession 301 00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:07,760 Speaker 3: or a relationship or a hobby is shaky footing and 302 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:12,640 Speaker 3: shaky ground. Things change, but the Lord remains the same forever. 303 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:16,810 Speaker 3: We need a stronger foundation for our identities. So, how 304 00:21:16,890 --> 00:21:19,750 Speaker 3: might we have a deeper sense of identity? Well, like Simon, 305 00:21:20,070 --> 00:21:23,690 Speaker 3: it begins with looking to Jesus. Think about the difference 306 00:21:23,730 --> 00:21:25,810 Speaker 3: between the moment of looking at yourself in the mirror 307 00:21:26,090 --> 00:21:28,910 Speaker 3: and the moment Simon gazed into the eyes of the Messiah. 308 00:21:29,410 --> 00:21:31,899 Speaker 3: How quickly we can go from pondering who am I 309 00:21:32,150 --> 00:21:35,460 Speaker 3: to seeing everything we can be through Jesus Christ. You see, 310 00:21:35,540 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 3: knowing God gives us a greater understanding of ourselves. When 311 00:21:39,740 --> 00:21:42,240 Speaker 3: we look at ourselves through God's eyes, our purpose becomes 312 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:45,850 Speaker 3: much more clear. When we anchor our identities in Christ, 313 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:49,129 Speaker 3: we feel less anxious and out of control. Who God 314 00:21:49,330 --> 00:21:51,469 Speaker 3: is and what He has called us to do is 315 00:21:51,490 --> 00:21:54,449 Speaker 3: a far more firm and steady base to build our 316 00:21:54,510 --> 00:21:57,340 Speaker 3: identities upon. He's not a God who looks down on 317 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,379 Speaker 3: us with disdain or frustration for our failures. He is 318 00:22:00,420 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 3: a loving Father who looks at us with compassion and 319 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,360 Speaker 3: calls us to be His children. When we submit ourselves 320 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:09,120 Speaker 3: to following Jesus, we are welcomed into his loving arms, 321 00:22:09,530 --> 00:22:12,250 Speaker 3: the starting point of understanding who we really are meant 322 00:22:12,290 --> 00:22:15,669 Speaker 3: to be. As Peter contemplates the bleak night of fishing, 323 00:22:15,970 --> 00:22:19,270 Speaker 3: he finds himself mulling over his purpose and his identity. 324 00:22:19,790 --> 00:22:23,210 Speaker 3: Since he attached his purpose to his profession, he inevitably 325 00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:26,720 Speaker 3: associated himself as a failure because he was failing to 326 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 3: catch fish. And so hard set in his ways he 327 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 3: was that he turned a deaf ear to his brother 328 00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:34,940 Speaker 3: who spoke of possible hope and finding more in life 329 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:39,119 Speaker 3: than just fishing. Simon's ambivalence towards his brother's message is 330 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:42,389 Speaker 3: a warning for all of us. It demonstrates that ambivalence 331 00:22:42,430 --> 00:22:45,449 Speaker 3: towards Jesus can hinder if not prevent our ability to 332 00:22:45,490 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 3: admire him. Don't be too quick to dismiss others when 333 00:22:48,780 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 3: they want to share what God is doing in their lives. 334 00:22:51,260 --> 00:22:53,570 Speaker 3: You may think, oh yeah, I've heard it, I've heard it, 335 00:22:53,619 --> 00:22:55,740 Speaker 3: I've heard it. You don't need to tell me about it. 336 00:22:55,780 --> 00:22:59,100 Speaker 3: I've been to church. I've heard the messages. Stop preaching 337 00:22:59,140 --> 00:23:02,450 Speaker 3: to me. But hold on. Maybe someone is getting a 338 00:23:02,510 --> 00:23:05,770 Speaker 3: glimpse into God's character that you have yet to peer into. 339 00:23:06,250 --> 00:23:09,409 Speaker 3: Maybe someone has found purpose and joy worth sharing to you. 340 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,660 Speaker 3: Andrew had a testimony to share, but Simon was too 341 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,490 Speaker 3: agitated and consumed with himself to listen. He needed to 342 00:23:16,550 --> 00:23:19,429 Speaker 3: wake up to what was happening. It wasn't until Simon 343 00:23:19,470 --> 00:23:22,370 Speaker 3: appreciated the significant role Jesus could play in his life 344 00:23:22,650 --> 00:23:25,550 Speaker 3: that he turned his heart towards adoration. And all it 345 00:23:25,570 --> 00:23:28,770 Speaker 3: took was a simple act of obedience. You see, at 346 00:23:28,830 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 3: first Simon was ambivalent about Jesus, but I love how 347 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:36,179 Speaker 3: he still had the attitude of, well, nevertheless, let's do it. 348 00:23:36,740 --> 00:23:39,889 Speaker 3: Sometimes that's all it takes. Faithless faithfulness is what I 349 00:23:39,930 --> 00:23:42,770 Speaker 3: like to call it. There's something honest about this entire 350 00:23:42,850 --> 00:23:46,310 Speaker 3: interaction that Peter has with Jesus. He isn't sure what 351 00:23:46,369 --> 00:23:49,910 Speaker 3: Jesus is up to, but he obeys nonetheless. You see, 352 00:23:49,950 --> 00:23:52,199 Speaker 3: God can do a lot with that attitude. He can 353 00:23:52,220 --> 00:23:54,360 Speaker 3: do a lot with our willingness to obey him even 354 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,859 Speaker 3: when we're irritated, doubtful, tired, and aren't sure what's going 355 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:01,310 Speaker 3: to come of it. So, even in reluctance, Peter's faithless 356 00:24:01,369 --> 00:24:04,469 Speaker 3: faithfulness to obey the instruction of Jesus gave him the 357 00:24:04,530 --> 00:24:07,730 Speaker 3: opportunity to witness a mere glimpse of his power. And 358 00:24:07,770 --> 00:24:10,930 Speaker 3: if Jesus can fill Peter's empty nets, maybe he could 359 00:24:10,970 --> 00:24:14,480 Speaker 3: fill his empty hearts, if given the chance. Surely, if 360 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 3: this stranger from Nazareth seemed to work with a greater purpose, 361 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:21,180 Speaker 3: even this lowly fisherman from Galilee could too. We can 362 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 3: trust that God has a special plan for each of 363 00:24:23,260 --> 00:24:26,550 Speaker 3: our lives. While we may not know every single detail 364 00:24:26,710 --> 00:24:29,150 Speaker 3: of that plan, we can be sure that our purpose 365 00:24:29,190 --> 00:24:32,409 Speaker 3: of following Jesus, being made more like Him, and glorifying 366 00:24:32,470 --> 00:24:35,560 Speaker 3: Him along the way will never change. And all it 367 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:38,340 Speaker 3: takes is our willingness to follow Him with humble hearts 368 00:24:38,380 --> 00:24:42,160 Speaker 3: of service and gratitude. Perhaps the plan isn't exactly what 369 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:45,649 Speaker 3: we expect or even what we initially hoped for, but 370 00:24:45,690 --> 00:24:48,450 Speaker 3: we can rest assured that God is in perfect control 371 00:24:48,609 --> 00:24:52,500 Speaker 3: with each step. May we all experience the glorious intersection 372 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:55,859 Speaker 3: of God's grace and our efforts. We can cling tightly 373 00:24:55,900 --> 00:24:58,000 Speaker 3: to the fact that there is a greater good God 374 00:24:58,060 --> 00:25:01,160 Speaker 3: wants to accomplish in and through us while holding loosely 375 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,659 Speaker 3: to what that looks like precisely. You see, you're not 376 00:25:03,700 --> 00:25:06,940 Speaker 3: supposed to know every single detail of God's plan. If 377 00:25:06,980 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 3: you knew all of God's plan mapped out from beginning 378 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,060 Speaker 3: to end, you would just be looking for shortcuts along 379 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:14,659 Speaker 3: the way. Jesus doesn't want to just show you the 380 00:25:14,780 --> 00:25:16,900 Speaker 3: end goal of what you're going to be. He wants 381 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,330 Speaker 3: you to follow him. He wants to take you along 382 00:25:19,420 --> 00:25:23,250 Speaker 3: a journey and a process. It doesn't take great skill, eloquence, 383 00:25:23,290 --> 00:25:26,950 Speaker 3: or charisma. It takes willing hearts and hands. In our story, 384 00:25:26,990 --> 00:25:29,209 Speaker 3: we also met some fellow fishermen, one of them by 385 00:25:29,230 --> 00:25:31,770 Speaker 3: the name of John. This man would also become one 386 00:25:31,810 --> 00:25:35,050 Speaker 3: of Jesus' closest disciples and a prolific leader in the 387 00:25:35,109 --> 00:25:38,159 Speaker 3: early church. Eventually, he would write these words in 1 388 00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:41,169 Speaker 3: John 3, 2. Beloved, we are God's children now, and 389 00:25:41,230 --> 00:25:43,950 Speaker 3: what we will be has yet to appear. But we 390 00:25:44,050 --> 00:25:46,410 Speaker 3: know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, 391 00:25:46,650 --> 00:25:49,770 Speaker 3: because we shall see Him as He is. We don't 392 00:25:49,810 --> 00:25:52,409 Speaker 3: know the specifics of how God will uniquely work in 393 00:25:52,450 --> 00:25:54,889 Speaker 3: our individual lives, but each of us, from the most 394 00:25:54,950 --> 00:25:58,090 Speaker 3: socially accepted to the furthest outcast, has been given a 395 00:25:58,330 --> 00:26:01,550 Speaker 3: purpose and a promise of being made like Jesus if 396 00:26:01,970 --> 00:26:05,020 Speaker 3: we pursue Him. What a glorious purpose that is. A 397 00:26:05,060 --> 00:26:08,260 Speaker 3: purpose that compels us onward. Our last point here is 398 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:10,619 Speaker 3: that it might seem daunting to walk away from the 399 00:26:10,660 --> 00:26:14,180 Speaker 3: life we know, but it's worth it. Simon and Andrew's 400 00:26:14,260 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 3: nets were empty and they weren't very good fishermen, clearly. 401 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:19,640 Speaker 3: But at least they knew what their life looked like. 402 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:22,460 Speaker 3: At least there was a predictability, even if it was 403 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:25,700 Speaker 3: predictability and monotony. But to see a change, we have 404 00:26:25,740 --> 00:26:28,359 Speaker 3: to make a change. We have to stop looking inward 405 00:26:28,380 --> 00:26:31,110 Speaker 3: to find purpose and identity and begin to look to Jesus. 406 00:26:31,810 --> 00:26:34,030 Speaker 3: We have to change our perception of what's possible and 407 00:26:34,050 --> 00:26:36,830 Speaker 3: believe that our God is a God of miracles. And 408 00:26:36,869 --> 00:26:40,730 Speaker 3: our God can work miracles in our mundane and ineffectual lives. 409 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:43,139 Speaker 3: We have to look beyond the mundane to see the 410 00:26:43,220 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 3: splendor of a life lived for and by Jesus. So, 411 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:49,879 Speaker 3: I encourage you to allow Jesus into your life and 412 00:26:49,940 --> 00:26:52,830 Speaker 3: leave nothing hidden from Him. The more you give Him, 413 00:26:52,869 --> 00:26:55,060 Speaker 3: the more He will change you. God doesn't want to 414 00:26:55,140 --> 00:26:57,740 Speaker 3: improve you. He wants to give you an entirely new life. 415 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:01,120 Speaker 3: And maybe like Simon, we're not perfect, but a life 416 00:27:01,180 --> 00:27:04,369 Speaker 3: of faith is not marked by perfection, but by consistency. 417 00:27:05,030 --> 00:27:08,190 Speaker 3: Receive God's mercy that are new every morning and take 418 00:27:08,230 --> 00:27:11,169 Speaker 3: that step of faith today. Failure isn't the end of faith. 419 00:27:11,250 --> 00:27:14,189 Speaker 3: It's part of the process. So follow Jesus and you 420 00:27:14,230 --> 00:27:16,930 Speaker 3: might just be surprised at what you'll find if you 421 00:27:16,970 --> 00:27:20,409 Speaker 3: decide to give him your all. In our next story, 422 00:27:20,530 --> 00:27:23,909 Speaker 3: we're going to meet another one of Jesus's 12 disciples. 423 00:27:24,359 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 3: This man is often unseen and unheralded in scripture, but 424 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 3: we want to give him some light. It's a man 425 00:27:31,060 --> 00:27:34,580 Speaker 3: named Nathaniel. Thanks for joining us for the Jesus podcast. 426 00:27:34,700 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 3: If you haven't yet followed, make sure to do so. 427 00:27:37,340 --> 00:27:39,860 Speaker 3: That way you never have to miss an episode and 428 00:27:39,900 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 3: it helps us to get seen by more people. Thanks 429 00:27:42,260 --> 00:27:44,980 Speaker 3: for making the mission possible. We love that you're here 430 00:27:45,260 --> 00:27:47,330 Speaker 3: and we love that you continue this journey with us.