“He brought him (Simon) to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So
you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means
Peter).” – John 1:42
My Thoughts:
The sun was beating down on us as we stepped onto the small
vessel. The trip wasn’t going to be
long, but we were all told to please stay seated as the waves were known to be
turbulent at times. Pushing away from
the dock, we were all relaxing and taking in the sights stretching as far as
one could see. The water was dark blue,
and seemed as deep as the ocean, although our guide told us it was only
slightly more than 100 feet at it’s deepest point. Soon, I lost my footing and fell into one of
my traveling companions as the boat rocked from side to side. Waves weren’t oceanic by nature, but
definitely were substantial for a lake that is only 8 miles wide. Then the winds started. A perfectly blue sky, 85 degrees in the
direct sun, but the chilling winds swirled around the lake and made us all
reach for our jackets. The boat we were
on was around 25 feet long, 10 feet wide and made of wood. It was a powered boat, but built as a replica
of the fishing boats from the early biblical times. It’s a weird feeling, looking around in all
directions from the center of the Sea of Galilee and seeing the rolling hills,
tree lines and desert mountains. At 650
feet below sea level, it is the largest fresh water supply in Israel and has
been fought over time and time again, for that very reason.
As the boat made it’s way across the Sea of Galilee, we all became quiet. Miracles had taken place right here. The miracle of calming the waves and wind. The miraculous catch of fish, by casting their net on the other side of their boat. The miracle of walking on water – we realized the very water surrounding our boats had supported the feet of our Savior, and Peter the disciple. The shores in the distance had been the ground where Jesus called his disciples to come and eat with Him; this being after He had died and been resurrected. Peter, was forgiven, and became the strength of the 1st century church from the shores of this incredible lake.
Simon, brother of Andrew and son of John, came from the city of Bethsaida, along the Jordan river. He was a fisherman by trade alongside his brother and the sons of Zebedee – John and James. There was a natural contempt for the Roman government, because of the taxes and guidelines that had been pressed down upon these men trying to make a simple living. There was a knowledge of scriptures that was held true in the hearts of these men. They longed for the Messiah to come and establish His church, and save them from the tyranny and law of the Romans. I picture Simon as the violent type, ready to throw down and fight for his rights and the rights of his family. Yet, when called by the Savior to “Follow Me, and become fishers of men”, something changed in Simon and according to the writings in Matthew and Mark, he dropped his nets and followed Him. Jesus then gave Simon the name, Cephas (Peter).
Suppose you were at your work and a man walking up to you and said, Come, follow me. The most likely reaction is one of disinterest and most would wave the man off as crazed or a threat of some nature. These early disciples were in deep desire for salvation and longing for the Messiah. As I look at today’s society, that longing is missing. I find that we are very complacent in desiring the return of the Messiah. If He showed up at your home today, would you give up everything you have to follow Him?
As the boat made it’s way across the Sea of Galilee, we all became quiet. Miracles had taken place right here. The miracle of calming the waves and wind. The miraculous catch of fish, by casting their net on the other side of their boat. The miracle of walking on water – we realized the very water surrounding our boats had supported the feet of our Savior, and Peter the disciple. The shores in the distance had been the ground where Jesus called his disciples to come and eat with Him; this being after He had died and been resurrected. Peter, was forgiven, and became the strength of the 1st century church from the shores of this incredible lake.
Simon, brother of Andrew and son of John, came from the city of Bethsaida, along the Jordan river. He was a fisherman by trade alongside his brother and the sons of Zebedee – John and James. There was a natural contempt for the Roman government, because of the taxes and guidelines that had been pressed down upon these men trying to make a simple living. There was a knowledge of scriptures that was held true in the hearts of these men. They longed for the Messiah to come and establish His church, and save them from the tyranny and law of the Romans. I picture Simon as the violent type, ready to throw down and fight for his rights and the rights of his family. Yet, when called by the Savior to “Follow Me, and become fishers of men”, something changed in Simon and according to the writings in Matthew and Mark, he dropped his nets and followed Him. Jesus then gave Simon the name, Cephas (Peter).
Suppose you were at your work and a man walking up to you and said, Come, follow me. The most likely reaction is one of disinterest and most would wave the man off as crazed or a threat of some nature. These early disciples were in deep desire for salvation and longing for the Messiah. As I look at today’s society, that longing is missing. I find that we are very complacent in desiring the return of the Messiah. If He showed up at your home today, would you give up everything you have to follow Him?
Prayer:
Almighty God,
Today we pray for Your mercy Lord and Your vision in our life. Let us see this life through Your eyes and feel the calling upon our soul to pursue You with a passion. Much like the disciples of the early church, create in us a longing for Your return and a desire to follow You, in all that You would have for us. Help us to become less dependent on man’s world and more focused on doing Your work. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Be Blessed,
Almighty God,
Today we pray for Your mercy Lord and Your vision in our life. Let us see this life through Your eyes and feel the calling upon our soul to pursue You with a passion. Much like the disciples of the early church, create in us a longing for Your return and a desire to follow You, in all that You would have for us. Help us to become less dependent on man’s world and more focused on doing Your work. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Rich
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