This is the final sermon in the series, "Growing with Peter." It is based on John 21.

     The journey home had been uneventful. A few miles out from the village, James and John caught up with Peter and Andrew. Together they traveled the remaining distance, the air growing thicker with the smell of the Sea of Galilee getting closer. They were engrossed in conversation, replaying all the events in Jerusalem that had astonished them all. The Lord had appeared briefly in the room where they had celebrated the last supper before his execution and blessed them with peace and the Holy Spirit. Then he was gone again.

            Now some of the disciples were returning to Galilee, going back to their homes. At the edge of town, Peter noticed the place where he had first met the teacher, back when his brother Andrew had dragged him out to the desert. It seemed a lifetime ago when he was identified Simon, son of Jonah, and then renamed Peter by the Lord. As he entered into the village, he felt disoriented—everything looked the same, yet his whole world had been radically changed. The inside of him did not match the surroundings that he called home.

            Peter’s wife and mother-in-law were waiting to welcome the men and had a meal prepared for them to eat. As he sat down, he recalled the day when the teacher had healed crowds of sick people right in his house. It was like a dream then, and even now he found himself almost wondering if it had really happened. The days passed, and Peter felt like a fish out of water, struggling to figure out how to be after all he had experienced with the teacher.

            After a couple of weeks, Peter decided to make preparations to head out and try to live out the teachings of the Lord. He felt unsure of himself, especially after he had denied the teacher three times right before his execution. How could he be the rock upon which the church was to be built after his miserable failure? But he knew that he could not deny that the Lord was alive now and so Peter felt he had to do something despite his lapse in faithfulness.

            He figured he would gather up the provisions he would need to survive on the road. He calculated how much money would be necessary to be away for a year, and then set out the only way he knew how to earn it. One evening, after a meal with some of the other disciples, he got up and said, “I am going fishing.”

            The rest of them looked at Peter, and then got up to follow, saying, “We will go with you.” As they approached the lake, some of Peter’s old fishing buddies caught sight of him and yelled out hearty greetings, “Simon, Simon!” It was a bit jarring since he had been going by Peter for awhile now, and it reminded him of his former life as a fisherman. He greeted them and asked about their families and luck on the lake. Then all of the men began to prep the boats for the night’s work.

            After pulling out his old fishing equipment, and checking to see that his nets were in good shape to use, Peter and the other disciples got into the boat and pushed off into the water. It felt good to be back in familiar work, and Peter soon stripped down to his undergarments so he could better maneuver the boat and nets. As they trolled his various favorite spots, Peter thought ahead to getting enough fish so he could begin his work for the Lord.

            Hours passed and still the men had not caught anything. Soon Peter’s excitement turned to gloom when he realized that the night’s efforts were going to prove futile. How was he going to do anything if he couldn’t even acquire a single fish for a meal?

            Suddenly he heard a voice calling to them. They all turned and looked towards shore and saw a figure standing on the beach. “Children, you have no fish, have you?” It was embarrassing to realize that their failed expedition had been observed by a stranger. Some of the other disciples dejectedly answered, “No.” Peter hoped that would be the end of the exchange, but the stranger called out again. “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

            It was a ridiculous request now that it was after daybreak, but Peter felt a familiar anxiety growing. He had been through this before. He and the other disciples threw the nets overboard and in time they felt the tug and pull of many fish swarming. They tried to reel the catch in, but the weight was staggering. One of the disciples immediately exclaimed, “It is the Lord!”

            That was all Peter needed to hear, as he threw his clothes on. Eager to make amends and pay his respects to the teacher, he jumped into the lake though the boat was only a hundred yards from shore. He simply could not wait any longer and so he swam fiercely to get to him. Just as he reached the point where he could stand up, the other disciples pulled up next to him in the boat. They all waded up the shoreline towards the teacher, who was now tending a fire on the beach.

            When they arrived, they could see lots of fish in the coals and loaves of bread sitting next to the fire. Before any of them sat down, the teacher said, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” Sopping wet, Peter turned and quickly ran back into the lake. He was determined to obey the Lord in light of his previous letdowns. He heaved the net from the boat, and with all the strength he could muster, hauled it to the other disciples and teacher by the fire.

            Standing there, drenched from both the lake water and physical exertion of dragging the fish in, Peter looked to the teacher for direction. The teacher gazed at him waiting. Not knowing what else to do, Peter got down on his knees and began to empty the net. It was only then that he noticed how enormous each fish was, every single one much bigger than any fish he had ever caught in his whole life. Any one of them would have been the talk of the village, and Peter pulled 153 out of his un-torn net.

            Surrounded by the bountiful catch, he realized the immensity of what the teacher had provided. Here was more than enough to provide for his needs. Peter then remembered the words of the teacher, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, or what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?... your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Peter put the net down, aware of the tangible lesson he had just been shown. He looked at the teacher who motioned him over. “Come and have breakfast.”

            Peter joined the other disciples around the fire as the Lord took the bread and fish and gave each of them generous portions. They all ate hungrily, grateful for the abundance of food. After they had finished eating, it grew quiet and the teacher looked around at the disciples, letting his eyes rest upon each one. He seemed to have a private exchange with each of them, communicating silently a world of understanding.

            When he turned to fix his eyes on Peter, Peter looked down at the ground. The memory of his failure was fresh in his mind, and he could still vividly recall how he had publicly denied knowing the teacher three times. It was made all the worse because he had been the most vocal about his devotion to the Lord, claiming that he would never leave him and would even die for him. Instead, Peter had betrayed the teacher and fled the scene, leaving him to die alone. Though the Lord had triumphed over it all, Peter was haunted by what he had done.

            Finally, Peter forced himself to raise his head to face the teacher’s intent countenance. Instead of remaining silent like he had with the other disciples, the Lord spoke aloud to him. “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” Peter responded immediately to his question, anxious to tell the teacher that despite his blunders he was now more devoted than ever. “Yes Lord, you know that I love you!”  He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

            Peter pondered his words as the fire crackled. He thought of all the crowds of people who had flocked around the teacher, wherever he went. Some sought healing, others food, still others were skeptics whose curiosity brought them to him. How did the teacher want him to respond to all these folks? He was surprised when the Lord’s voice interrupted his thinking.

            “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” Peter was confused by the second questioning. He did not miss that the teacher was calling him by his family name instead of the one he had given him, but he wondered why he was being asked once more. This time he resolved to look directly at the teacher so he could fervently express his faithfulness. “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”  The teacher said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

            Again Peter contemplated what the teacher was commanding him to do. He recalled the encounter that had solidified his decision to leave everything behind to follow the Lord. It was the first time he had experienced a miraculous catch of fish, and when the teacher had told him that Peter would now be catching people. He had wondered back then what the Lord had meant by that, but he was beginning to understand. As he was about to inquire more about it, Peter was stunned to be asked a third time.

            “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt and was stung by the teacher’s questioning. Three times he was being asked, and the weight of his three denials sunk in. The Lord’s death had been costly on many levels. His voice contrite, Peter answered him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

            One last time, the teacher said to him, “Feed my sheep.” Then he came to Peter and put his hand on his shoulder, saying, “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you used to fasten your own belt and go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”

            The words lay heavily upon Peter, as he gradually took in their significance. His whole life he had been strong in mind and body, doing as he wished. Even when he had left everything to follow the teacher, Peter had retained his autonomy and did not shy away from challenging him. He remembered the night when he had taken the teacher aside to rebuke him for talking about his imminent death. He had been shocked when the teacher had abruptly stopped him, saying, “Get behind me Satan!”

            It was at that point when Peter began to really struggle with the Lord’s teaching, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” Peter sat with the teacher’s prediction, taking in the reality that the teacher’s fate was his fate. His love for the Lord would bind him through life and death. It was a serious calling, one that would involve all his passion and whole self.

            The teacher took his hand off Peter’s shoulder and then extended it to help him to his feet. “Follow me,” he said and together they began walking away from the lake, away from Peter’s former life. He was filled with both comfort and nervousness, knowing that the Lord would always be with him but not knowing what lay ahead. Peter turned around to take one more glance and saw that one of the other disciples was following them.

            “Lord, what about him?” Peter could not help but wonder about the others. Would they have to face death as the teacher had implied Peter would? Was there another way to be faithful to the Lord? The teacher took his arm and gently pulled him forward so that they continued their journey. “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” Peter looked at his Lord, and then fell into step beside him. It was enough, simply to know that the Lord would be going with him. Peter set off, ready to become a catcher of people.

This Easter sermon continues the series, "Growing With Peter." It is based on Luke 24:1-12.

       They were headed south towards Jerusalem. With each passing town, Peter grew increasingly anxious, unsure of what lay ahead. After making their way up the Mount of Olives, they reached the crossroads of the town Bethany and Bethpage. The teacher sent two of the disciples to fetch a young colt and later in the day he mounted it and rode it into Jerusalem. Peter and the others followed, amazed at the crowds which gathered to greet him. They lay their cloaks upon the road, waved palm branches, and raised their voices in praise of the teacher. It was an overwhelming scene and Peter’s heart swelled with hope.

            The commotion as they entered into Jerusalem also drew the attention of the religious leaders as they came to see why all the people were so excited. It was clear they were displeased and they shouted above the crowds’ joyful singing, telling the teacher to make the people stop. It was useless, however, and soon enough they left because more and more people gathered to praise him. Peter let out a triumphant cry as well, sensing that perhaps the teacher was mistaken in his past predictions. It looked as if the whole of Jerusalem was behind him and Peter could imagine the teacher victoriously ruling over the people.

            The next week was a blur of activity with many hours spent at the temple teaching the crowds. The religious authorities were always lurking around, trying to catch the teacher in some kind of heresy. With each passing day though, Peter grew more confident that there was nothing they could do. The teacher was too smart for them and easily deflected their attempts to trap him plus there were constantly masses of people surrounding him. Things were looking up.

            Soon the Festival of Unleavened Bread was upon them. Everywhere in Jerusalem there were signs of preparation as people hurried about getting a Passover lamb ready for sacrifice. The disciples asked the teacher, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He gave them very specific directions about where to go and what to do, and when they carried out his instructions exactly as he had said, Peter was not surprised at the teacher’s foresight. After all, he had demonstrated again and again that his knowledge was beyond human understanding and his powers were from the divine realm.

            Peter was looking forward to celebrating the Passover with the teacher and other disciples. In the past, he had enjoyed this annual holiday with his brother Andrew and their family. But it was much more about the feasting and time with family than anything else. Now though, he had a renewed sense of his ancestral faith and wondered in anticipation how this Passover would be different being with the teacher.

            After they had all settled down around the room and were reclining, they began the feasting. Laughter filled the air as the disciples talked amongst each other, taking pleasure in having an evening of privacy away from the crowds. The teacher quietly observed them, and soon the talking faded as the disciples became aware of his stillness. Then he looked around at each of them and said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
            There was a shocked silence as the disciples looked at one another. The teacher appeared agitated, and they were confused by this startling pronouncement in the midst of what was supposed to be a joyful banquet. All of them became greatly distressed and Peter turned to the teacher asking, really pleading him, saying, “Sure not I, Lord?” One after the other, all of the disciples asked him the same in anguished voices. After an eternal moment, the teacher answered them, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.”

            It was an ambiguous response since they had all dipped their hands in the bowl as they shared the Passover meal together. Before they could ask again, the teacher went on, “For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” The disciples were speechless, and that unfamiliar feeling began rising in Peter’s stomach, the one he had felt the first time he met the teacher. Just moments ago he and the others were in an exultant mood, but now they were all subdued having lost their appetite for celebrating with the teacher’s burdensome words.

            A moment or an hour passed, Peter couldn’t be sure, and then the teacher interrupted the reverie. He took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  Each of them received their piece and ate it, not understanding what he meant. His next words unsettled them even more. After taking a cup and giving thanks he said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The cup passed from disciple to disciple, as each one took a drink but still they could not comprehend his actions. Peter knew the teacher was passing something important down but was uncertain of how to respond.

            It was quiet again as they lay in the room in heavy presence. The teacher began singing his favorite hymn, and gradually all of the disciples joined in. It was a song of praise yet their voices had a somber quality about it. After the last verse, the teacher rose from his place and exited the room. Not knowing what else to do, the disciples also got up and went to follow him because that was their custom.

            Before long they were at the Mount of Olives, trailing after him on the road. The teacher stopped abruptly and turned to face them. His expression was sad as he said, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” None of the disciples knew what to say this second time either that the teacher spoke such condemning words. But Peter started to get angry.

            “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you!” He spoke without thinking as his emotions spilled out of him. His head was in a whirlwind as he felt both desperate and mad. He thought they had turned a corner when they arrived in Jerusalem, but now the teacher was headed down a path that was fatalistic for everyone. How could the teacher speak in such a manner when just hours earlier they were surrounded by awed crowds of people in the temple?

            But he looked at Peter gravely and said, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Now Peter was outraged and offended—he was loyal to a fault and to have suggested three times in one night that he would be anything otherwise was too much. Hadn’t he left everything to follow the teacher? He retorted back to the teacher, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you!” The other disciples joined in with him, vehemently declaring their allegiance while the teacher simply listened.

            Finally he turned and continued walking on, eventually entering the garden of Gethsemane. He told the other disciples to sit, but took Peter, James, and John with him further into a grove of trees. The teacher became even more distressed and agitated and Peter’s anger turned into fear. “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” Then he walked deeper into the garden, leaving the trio of disciples alone.

            They sat down and Peter realized how drained he was. It had been a roller coaster of a day and now, late into the evening, he only had a tree and hard ground to rest against. Time seemed to stand still as they waited for the teacher to return from wherever he had gone, and Peter’s eyes began to grow heavy with fatigue.

            A voice was in his head, and as he awoke he realized that he had fallen asleep. “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The teacher was standing over him and then leaving again. He looked around and saw that James and John were also asleep just a little ways from him. Peter struggled to his feet, but then sat down again as the teacher was already gone. He tried to pray but exhaustion overtook him once more.

            This time the voice was much sharper and Peter bolted to his feet before he was even fully awake. “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand!” As Peter became fully conscious, he saw that they were no longer alone as a crowd of men was making their way severely over with clubs and swords. Judas, one of the other disciples, was ahead of the mob and rushed over to the teacher saying, “Rabbi!” as he kissed him.

            Suddenly the crowd was upon them all and several men surrounded the teacher. Peter realized that they were about to arrest him and he reacted swiftly. Grabbing a sword, he swung towards the man closest to the teacher and struck off his ear. Before he could swing again, however, the teacher was rebuking him saying, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” Surprised, Peter dropped the sword and before he could do anything else the men had arrested and bound the teacher.

            Chaos broke out and all the disciples fled the garden. Peter ducked behind a grove, and when the mob started on their way with their catch, he carefully followed from a distance. He recognized some of the faces as religious leaders and temple authorities, the same ones who had been lurking around the teacher earlier in the week. They made their way to a house near the temple, and stopped in the large courtyard. Peter went and sat across the way by a fire so he could see what would happen.

            There were many people milling about the courtyard, curious about what was going on. Peter tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, but he noticed that he kept getting stares. Then a servant-girl, standing a little ways from him, pointed directly at him and said to the people around her, “This man also was with him.” Caught off guard, Peter quickly responded, “Woman, I do not know him.” He stood up and walked away from the fire, trying to shake off their glances.

            After he saw that the group had left, he returned to the fire and sat down. He could see the teacher across the way, his hands bound and surrounded by guards. As he strained to get a closer look, he heard someone behind him say, “You also are one of them.” Whirling around he hastily got to his feet and backed away again from the fire, saying, “Man, I am not!” This time he exited the courtyard and started walking around the perimeter, trying to figure out what to do.

            An hour later, he decided to risk entering the courtyard again to see what was going on with the teacher. There were more people gathered now, so many that Peter could hardly see him. He made his way towards the crowd but noticed the servant-girl from earlier staring at him again. She said something to a group of men who also turned to stare, and then one of them said loudly, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” Others also turned to look at him and Peter began to panic. “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!”

            At that moment, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed drowning out his words. The teacher turned and looked at Peter, their eyes locking. The prediction came flooding back into his mind, how the teacher had said, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” A violent blow from one of the guard’s club broke their gaze as they began beating the teacher. Peter felt crushed and he rushed out of the courtyard with the sounds of the mob jeering in his ears. He ran as fast as he could, not knowing where he was going, and then in a desolate place, he collapsed onto the ground and wept bitterly.

* * *

            Somehow Peter found his way back to the room where they had been celebrating the Passover. A few of the other disciples were there and as the hours passed, more returned. His brother Andrew came and together they sat in silence. Peter didn’t know if it had been minutes or years, but eventually James and John’s mother entered into the room and reported the devastating news. The teacher had been executed, crucified upon a cross. Screams and wailing filled the room as Peter’s whole body shook uncontrollably from the pain he felt searing into his heart. It was all over and he was swallowed in grief and despair.

* * *

            Three days later, the disciples had just barely managed to pick themselves up off the floor. The previous days had been a nightmare of horrible news as the details of the teacher’s death trickled in from various sources. There was also a growing fear along with their sorrow because rumors swirled about the headhunting religious leaders. Apparently they had issued a warning to the citizens of Jerusalem to bring anyone associated with the teacher directly to them. Most of the disciples were trying to make rapid plans on how to depart from the city, but wanted to pay their respects to the teacher at the tomb he was buried in before they left.

            Peter and Andrew were getting ready to leave when a group of women rushed into the room. Peter knew they had gone already to the tomb, getting up earlier than the rest of the disciples so they could anoint the body and lay the teacher properly to rest. He was thankful they had gone to prepare the teacher because he could not bear to see him otherwise, it was distressing enough.

            But just as Peter and his brother had finished packing their bags, James and John motioned them over. The other disciples were trying to calm the women down, they were in such a state of frenzy. One of them had even fainted. When Mary Magdalene saw Peter, she made a beeline for him and kept exclaiming, “He’s gone, he’s gone!”  Immediately that uncertain feeling began to rise in Peter’s stomach. He tried to understand what had happened as the women related their stories, speaking of angels and an empty tomb. Finally he gathered that they had seen a vision, telling them that the teacher had risen.

            When the other disciples realized what the women were saying, they became scornful and did not believe them. They thought the trauma of the past few days had taken its toll and now the women were becoming delusional in their suffering. But Peter’s heart caught in his throat, and he quickly grabbed his bag and left the room. He ran as fast as he could, trying to remember the directions he had heard about how to get to the tomb.

            Could it be? He racked his mind, trying to recall the teacher’s words to them. So many times he had blown the teacher off whenever he began speaking about his imminent death. Peter did not want to hear about suffering and defeat, but towards the end the teacher had become adamant. But if the teacher was alive now, his words had a whole new meaning. If he wasn’t in the tomb, then everything was changed.

             He arrived at a small garden, the place belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. This was it according to the women. He followed the path and reached the tomb, hewn into the rock. A large stone was pushed aside, and the entrance wide open.

            Peter stood there, his breath held as he tried not to think the unthinkable. At last he forced himself to step through his fear and into the tomb. There was no one there; it was empty of everything except some neatly folded linen cloths lying on a stone bench. He was amazed and then the women’s excited words echoed through his head, “He is risen! He is risen! The Lord is alive!”

            Joy and anxiety both began to flood over Peter. Suddenly he knew exactly what to do. The teacher’s words came back to him about meeting up back at his home: “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”  Peter turned away from the empty tomb, and exited the garden. He was going home, back to the Sea of Galilee and he couldn’t wait to see the teacher. His whole body trembled as he breathed in this new reality and hope. “He is risen,” Peter said softly to himself, and then beginning to run he shouted triumphantly, “He is risen! My Lord is alive! Christ has risen, indeed!”

This sermon continues the series, "Growing With Peter." It is based on Matthew 16:13-26.

          This was a new feeling for Simon Peter. A deep sense of belonging had taken root in him with the knowledge of the teacher’s love. After he had walked on water and been saved from drowning, Peter was confident that the teacher was for real, the one the prophets had spoken of. It was an amazing realization for him, shaping a new reality for Peter as he moved about under the teacher’s watch and care. Traveling around the region of Galilee, the past uncertainties he had held about his own future seemed to fade away—somehow he knew that the teacher would provide for him.

            With his growing relationship with the teacher, Peter found himself more and more becoming the leader of the other disciples. It was a natural position for him, as the other men had gravitated towards him back when he was a fisherman. Peter liked being the spokesperson, and despite his limited religious credentials he was now seen by others as one of the more devoted followers of the teacher.

            The group of them had journeyed through many of the lakeside villages, and so the teacher decided to head north, away from the sea. Peter did not often trek far from home, but was excited about the teacher’s next move. He had already experienced many of his miracles, a couple of them even personally. Recalling the time the teacher had healed his mother-in-law as well as the bountiful catch of fish that led him to leave everything behind, Peter expected that whatever lay ahead was sure to be even more impressive than the past displays of power.

            After a few days on the road, they entered into the district of Caesarea Philippi. Peter had heard of the region from others, but had never been there himself. It was a popular destination because of its impressive geographical beauty and bustling commerce. Located in the foothills of Mt. Hermon, the city boasted many temples to the Greek god, Pan, and in fact was also known as Panias because so many people worshipped the god there. Everywhere the disciples and teacher traveled, they saw tributes to the half-man, half-goat god Pan.

            Peter and the other disciples were absorbed in the sights all around them, admiring the lush vineyards and orchards. Soon they came to a gushing spring and stopped to take a break. As they were resting, many people passed them toting offerings on their way to worship Pan. The teacher rose and started walking in the same direction so the disciples got up to follow.

            After walking through a forest, they came to a large cave carved into a sheer rock face that was over a 1000 feet high. The spring of water seemed to originate from deep within the cave, and many people were casting their sacrifices to the god Pan into it. Peter looked up and saw tributes to the god carved out on the rock above them—they had come to one of the sacred temples of Pan.

            As he was taking in the whole scene, the teacher began to address him and the other disciples. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The Son of Man, it was the term that the teacher had been using to identify himself. Here, in the midst of the temple of Pan, the teacher was asking them what the consensus was by the larger public about who he was. It was a stark contrast between the stone carvings of Pan and the flesh and blood teacher.

            A few of the men spoke up saying, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Of course there had been buzz all around the region about the teacher. Many of the crowds who had come out to see him were convinced he was a prophet, but they debated about which one.

Then Simon Peter spoke up boldly, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” The words were out of his mouth before he could even really think; it seemed to have almost been a gut reaction to the question. The teacher looked at him with a smile and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” Simon Peter was surprised to hear the teacher call him by his family name because he had been identified as Peter since he had left home. He remembered the day his brother Andrew had led him out into the wilderness, the first time he had laid eyes on the teacher. Out there, the teacher had already known and identified him as Simon son of Jonah but then he had told him that he was to be called Peter, which meant rock. He was confused by the incident but had since forgotten about it. Now he was reminded and wondered again—why had he renamed him? The teacher seemed to know him in a way that even Simon Peter did not know.

As if he knew exactly what Simon Peter was thinking, the teacher spoke to him again saying, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Standing under the huge rock, Peter felt a rush of exhilaration and was taken aback by the teacher’s pronouncement.

He had spent his whole life as a fisherman and very little time studying the scriptures or attending synagogue. His brother Andrew was the religious one. Yet here the teacher was proclaiming that Peter had a major role in his church and giving him special authority to lead it. Peter, the rock—he soaked in the new name given to him by the teacher. He realized that it was not by coincidence that the teacher had reasserted his name in this place, the rocky alcove filled with tributes to the god Pan. Simon Peter was being instructed by the teacher to fish for others, people like the ones bringing offerings to Pan. He was no longer to spend his time catching fish, instead he was to focus on catching people.

Days later, Peter was still relishing the special blessing and charge he had received. His newfound faith opened him to an increasing intimacy with the teacher as he shared all his thoughts and feelings. Whatever was on his mind and heart, whether it was worries about his family at home or trying to understand a new teaching, Peter found comfort in telling him. He was confident in the teacher and his own designated role given to him back in Caesarea Philippi.

But then the teacher began saying things that made Peter uncomfortable. Rather than staying in the region of Galilee, he wanted to go to Jerusalem. The disciples had already experienced the grilling that the elders, chief priests, and scribes had extended towards the teacher whenever they had the chance. Most of the disciples were like Peter, unschooled in the ways of the religious elite. It was no secret that these folks were just waiting for an opportunity to denounce the teacher as a false prophet so it was with good reason that Peter was wary.

Going to Jerusalem meant inevitable contact with the elders, chief priests, and scribes since that was their primary domain. Peter was never one to shy from a conflict or fight, but what the teacher spoke about seriously disturbed him. The plan didn’t entail any victorious showdowns, but instead he kept saying that he was going to be handed over to the religious authorities to suffer greatly, so much so that he would be killed.

Peter was flabbergasted. This made no sense to him—how could anything good come from the teacher being dead? Just when he had being growing close to him and confident of his power, the teacher was now switching course and deliberately walking into a death trap. And what about him—what about all the promises he had made about Peter being the rock and leading the church? How could he do that without the teacher’s presence?

He decided that he needed to confront the teacher. Though it had been less than one year since that fateful meeting in the wilderness, Peter could not imagine life without his Lord. And this was so out of character from his demonstrations of power. He felt something was off and that it was time to bring some sense to it all.

One evening, when the teacher was again telling the disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, Peter interrupted and took him aside. He was mad and had heard enough so he began to rebuke the teacher saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you!”

Peter was going on as they were walking side by side, when the teacher stopped suddenly and turned sharply to face him. The look on the teacher’s face stopped Peter mid-sentence and he fell silent immediately. Fixing his eyes directly on him, the teacher said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things!”

The words hit Peter like a slap in the face. He dropped his head from the intense stare, and after a moment the teacher walked away, leaving Peter to digest what had just happened. Only a few days earlier Peter had been called a founding rock and now he was named a stumbling block. The teacher’s impossible teachings came back to him, the ones he found incomprehensible and even a bit ludicrous. He could hear him now, speaking to the other disciples the same message again.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.   For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Peter sank to the ground, hurt and confused. The intensity of the teacher’s words and expression were seared into his mind as he tried to make sense of why he had been rebuked. For awhile now the teacher had been speaking of the suffering and death he would be facing, and with each passing day his resolve seemed to grow stronger. Peter could not understand this which was why he had confronted him. The teacher was powerful and able to rally crowds together—why was he so insistent that things had to end in such a dreadful manner?

The way that the teacher had looked at Peter haunted him. It was a mixture of angst and fury, and it was clear that he was determined to end any more complaints or arguments about the path he had made up his mind to follow. Peter mulled it over and over. What did it mean to take up his cross and follow the teacher? How was he supposed to be the rock the teacher had named him if he was steadfastly marching towards a death trap? What were the divine things he needed to set his mind on instead of human things? Eventually Peter fell asleep exhausted.

He woke up to a gentle shaking of his shoulder, and groggily looked up to see the teacher’s face waking him up. There was no anger left, only compassion and peace. He extended his hand to Peter, pulling him up from the ground, simply saying, “Come.”  Peter did not know what lay ahead, but felt certain that he wanted to stay with the teacher. It was enough for the moment and so he gathered his things up again, and left to follow him.

This sermon continues the "Growing with Peter" series. It is based on Matthew 14:22-33.

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            Simon Peter was exhausted. Lying in the hull of the boat, every bone ached from the months spent away from home following the teacher. He was having second thoughts about his decision to leave his fishing business, and wondered what he had gotten himself into. He replayed some of the events, trying to make sense of it all.

            The first few weeks Peter found himself constantly astounded by the teacher’s powers. After healing more sick people in his village, the teacher decided to leave for another town. He got into one of Peter’s fishing boats and they set off to the other side of the lake. It was like his daily work routine, his fishing partners with him, only the teacher’s presence made it clear that they were not on the water to search for a catch of fish. Peter had rarely spent time on the lake apart from fishing, and he found himself strangely disoriented on his own boat without all his nets and equipment.

            While Peter and the other disciples steered the boat, the teacher settled himself down and went to sleep. An hour passed and the lake started to get choppy as the wind picked up. Scouting the dark storm clouds on the horizon, Peter and his partners discussed the fastest way to reach the western shore. A couple of hours later they were still far from their destination and being buffeted by gale force winds. Amazingly, the teacher slept on despite the heavy rocking of the boat and splashing water.

            Peter had been through many storms before and was confident in his abilities to safely navigate his boat. But as the dark clouds surrounded them and waves grew increasingly rough, the other disciples became visibly anxious. Peter, trying to stay calm, struggled against the wind to control the boat. It was useless, however, and seawater began pouring into it. Rocking turned to severe rolls and it was all the disciples could do to stay onboard. The sea tossed the boat around like a child’s toy, emptying itself of cargo while Peter and the others desperately clung onto its sides, terrified of falling overboard.

            The noise of the storm was deafening, and though the men were shouting Peter could not make out the words. He saw one of them pointing towards the rear end of the boat, and was shocked to see the teacher, still asleep despite the violent squalls assailing them. He could not believe that in the chaos the teacher even remained in the boat since he could barely hang on. All of the men, Peter included, were stumbling their way over towards the figure. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the sea, but as each man reached the teacher, their collective cry sounded out into the air, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

            Through the spray of water, Peter could see that his eyes were open. No hint of panic or worry appeared on his face as the boat continued to sway violently. The teacher looked around at the disciples, his eyes pausing momentarily on each one. Then he murmured, hardly audible, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he stood up effortlessly in the shuddering boat, facing the open water with raised hands, and commanded the storm to cease. Immediately the winds stopped and the boat came to a rest as the sea became dead calm.

            The disciples were amazed and said to one another, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” They did not have much time to chew it over as the boat arrived at their destination and the teacher was quickly on his way. The next few weeks were a blur of more miraculous displays of the teacher’s power. He healed sick people, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, he even raised a dead girl to life! Peter’s confidence in the teacher grew with each demonstration of his abilities to do what no other person could. He began to think that his brother Andrew might be right, that the teacher was the Messiah who would deliver the Jews from Roman occupation.

            Just as Peter began to put faith into this idea, however, the teacher began saying difficult things. He was preparing the disciples to spread the word around the region of Galilee, and warned them that they would be arrested by the governing authorities. Peter didn’t understand—why would anyone want to stop them from healing people and making them well? The teacher went on to say that they would be flogged and persecuted, all because of their association with him.

            Then he said something that made Peter’s stomach turn. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death;  ²² and you will be hated by all because of my name…Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;  ³⁶ and one's foes will be members of one's own household.  ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;  ³⁸ and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

            Peter was shocked. He thought he had already given up so much, leaving behind his fishing business, but now the teacher was demanding a ridiculous commitment. He couldn’t imagine turning against Andrew, his own brother. He couldn’t fathom not honoring his parents as they deserved to be. And he certainly could not conceive of himself getting anywhere near a cross, the horrific and cruel instrument that the Romans had invented to execute people. What kind of crazy teaching was this anyway?

            His doubts about the teacher intensified when some old friends of Andrew came and found them one day. The men were disciples of the bug man, John the Baptist, and they had been sent to find out some information. John had been thrown in prison by King Herod, they reported, and he had just one question for the teacher. “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Andrew was noticeably disturbed, and Peter remembered how his brother had been so convinced by his time in the desert with John that he too had left everything to follow the teacher. Was his old mentor having second thoughts as well?

            As Peter mulled these things over, the teacher continued to talk in mysterious metaphors only making him more confused. In addition, he had stopped doing any miracles making Peter wonder if the past displays of power were just a dream, perhaps some forces of coincidence that made him see something more than was really there. And then bad news came.

            Early one morning as they were getting ready to set out, Andrew’s old friends arrived again. The same ones as before, and it was clear something was wrong. In distraught voices, they reported to the teacher that John had been murdered, beheaded by King Herod, and they had just managed to recover his body to give it a proper burial. Andrew began to wail and the sounds of mourning were joined by his friends. Peter was caught between fear and concern for his brother, desperately wanting to return home but unsure of what to do.

            He tried to comfort his brother, sitting in shocked silence while Andrew and John’s disciples lay prostrate, their bodies heaving from the sobs. Hours later, Peter saw a crowd approaching and he realized that at some point the teacher had withdrawn but was now returning to them with a multitude of people following him. He couldn’t believe it as this was hardly the time to be dealing with anyone, but there was nowhere to go to escape the masses since evening was fast upon them. After conferring with some of the other disciples, they decided to put forward a suggestion, really a strong request to the teacher that he send the crowd away. It seemed reasonable given the circumstances.

            A group of them approached the teacher, who was surrounded by all sorts of sick and lame people. They said to him, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” It was as tactful as they could manage, when they all felt it was ludicrous to have thousands of people expecting them to do something in the midst of their grief. Surely the teacher could appreciate their distress.

            But instead of agreeing, he responded, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” Stunned, the disciples looked at one another in disbelief. Did he expect them to make the trek into town to buy food for all these people, because they barely had enough to feed themselves. “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish,” they implored him, their nerves shot from the last 24 hours. “Bring them here to me,” the teacher commanded. Peter did not know how much more he could handle. The extreme teachings, the death of John, and now their basic necessities taken away—he wanted out, now.

            An extraordinary thing happened though that stopped Peter short. Before he could gather Andrew and their things up to leave, the teacher was blessing and breaking the bread, handing them out to the other disciples. As he gave Peter a heavy basket overflowing with fish, the teacher looked at him intently and Peter was reminded of his once sinking boat that had been overloaded with fish. He took the basket and started making his way amidst the families, offering as much fish as each person wanted to take knowing that there would be plenty more.

            Finally, everyone seemed satisfied and the disciples collected the leftovers into twelve baskets. The teacher turned his attention to them and immediately made them pack up their belongings. He stood waiting by the boat, and it was clear to Peter that he expected them to get onboard right away, despite the late hour. After the last of them boarded, the teacher simply said, “Go,” and pushed them off and then returned to the crowds to dismiss them.  

            And so there Peter was, lying with the other disciples in the boat exhausted after the day’s events. After all his thoughts of leaving the teacher, Peter now had no idea where he had gone after dismissing the multitudes of people. The wind had picked up and propelled the boat far from shore. He fell asleep wondering how and when they would meet up with the teacher again.

            It was early dawn when one of the disciples began to holler. Peter sat up to see what the commotion was all about. Straining to see what everyone was looking at, he saw in the distance a figure hovering over the water. At first he thought it might be a bird, but as it drew closer it was clear that it was the shape of a person. “It is a ghost!” one of the men cried out, and the rest of them were sent into a terrified frenzy.

            A voice, however, broke through their fear and enfolded them in familiar words. “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter leaned hard over the edge of the boat to try and make out the figure. His mind was racing with all the possibilities—could it be the teacher? Was he really the one the prophets had spoken of or was he just fooling himself into thinking so? How could he be certain that it was really worth leaving everything behind—his home, fishing business, family—to follow this person?

            On an impulse, Peter blurted out to the approaching figure, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” The other disciples were flustered at his sudden outburst and attempted to persuade him to sit back down in the boat. Just wait, they pleaded, just wait and see what happens. But the voice summoned Peter, saying, “Come.”

            And so Peter swung his legs over the side, his eyes fixed upon the figure. His heart was pounding in his head as he took the first step. As he felt the solid pressure pushing under his foot, adrenaline shot through him and he began walking boldly on the water towards the figure. After about ten steps, he was close enough to make out the features of the teacher. The weight of this realization made him falter—it was the teacher, with all his incredible powers and all his impossible demands. Why had he left the boat and the company of all the other disciples? Peter glanced around him and noticed the strong wind whipping the waves about his feet. He became aware of how vulnerable he was, out alone in the sea, and the panic started to rise into his throat.

            He wanted to turn around and get back into the boat, but he was too far away. He began to sink into the lake, the frigid water making him gasp from its bite on his flesh. He saw the teacher’s figure and instantly, without hesitation, cried out to him, “Lord, save me!” Peter immediately felt a strong arm lifting him up and he found himself under the intensely tender gaze of his Lord. He said softly to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Then the teacher firmly took his hand and led him back to the boat where the rest of the disciples were waiting to pull Peter back in.

            As soon as they were both safely aboard, the wind ceased as if it were responding yet again to the teacher’s divine presence. Peter knew this second time was no coincidence, and there was only one appropriate response. Gratitude flooded over any lingering uncertainty and he fell down to his knees with the other men to worship the teacher, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!”

 

This sermon is in the Lenten series, "Growing With Peter." It is based on John 1:35-42, Luke 4:38-42, & Luke 5:1-11.

"As I see it, we will never succeed in knowing ourselves unless we seek to know God." --Teresa of Avila

            If somebody asked the question, “Who are you?” how would you answer? Perhaps you would tell them you’re a student or maybe you’d say where you worked. For those of you with Facebook accounts, you might tell them to look at your profile to find out not just your stats, but everything you’re into with pictures to illustrate. Of course, who you are might change on a daily basis, depending on what’s going on in your life. Here on campus, it seems there are many different roles you can try out. Who are you? Sometimes it’s the million dollar question.             

     We are in our Lenten Series, “Growing with Peter,” and each week we are taking a closer look at this one disciple’s faith journey. Today I’m going to be telling a story about him, using what we know from the various Gospels in the Bible, but also using my own imagination to paint a picture of the character Peter. I have taken creative license to flesh out the various incidents that we find in the scriptures to help bring his story to life. In reflecting upon who Peter was we may be able to step back and get a clearer sense of who we are. As we learn about this disciple of Jesus’, I invite you to imagine yourself walking in his shoes. Listen for your own story as we contemplate his.

* * *

            Simon was a strong man, some might say stubborn. Raised by the Sea of Galilee, he and his brother Andrew spent their childhood years playing and fighting together as siblings often do. Confident as a youth and sometimes rash in his behavior, the other village boys naturally gravitated towards Simon, following his lead both into games and mischief. Andrew’s temperament was a bit meeker, and the other kids would on occasion tease him. But Simon, stronger, braver and always loyal, was quick to defend his brother and no one dared to cross him for fear of the consequences.

            As the brothers grew older, they remained close as friends but their interests began to diverge. Andrew took after his mother, a bit more quiet and sensitive to those around him. He listened eagerly to the stories of his Jewish ancestors, and asked many questions about the temple in Jerusalem. Simon, more a person of action, loved to watch the men of the village down by the lake. Soon enough he began helping his father and uncles work the fishing boats, soaking up the attention he received from the other men who would often comment on how strong he was for his age. He quickly took to the craft and his young hands grew thick callous’ from spending long nights manning the fishing nets as he searched for a large catch.

            As time went on and the brothers grew older, Simon and Andrew began spending less time together. Andrew’s religious devotion meant he was often at the synagogue listening to the teachings of the local rabbi. Despite his limited education and background, he had started to read a bit of the prophetic scrolls for himself. Simon, never understanding his brother’s fascination with matters of the temple, preferred to shoot the breeze with the other fishermen swapping stories about their adventures on the sea.

            But the brothers remained devoted to each other, even if their days looked quite different. When their parents decided it was time for Simon to marry and take over the family business, it was Andrew’s suggestion of a certain young maiden that ultimately became Simon’s wife. Andrew worked hard to help his brother and wife start their new life together, building a home and getting them settled into the daily rhythms of being a family in the village. He was always reminding Simon to observe the Jewish festivals, and urged him to go to synagogue more often.

            Though he loved his brother, Simon for the most part did not care to spend much of his time on religious matters and instead focused his energy on running the fishing boats. Years passed, and Simon’s reputation grew as a successful fisherman. He worked hard every night, and soon he had enough to buy another boat and bring on some other men to work for him. Villagers would tell of the time that Simon dived into the freezing lake to rescue a fellow fisherman who had fallen overboard. Or about his amazing ability to sense where the fish were and bring in a catch when other boats would come back empty. Simon became known as one of the leading fishermen not just in his own village, but also among neighboring towns along the lake.

            Meanwhile, Andrew began talking about strange things. In fact, Simon was growing a bit worried about his brother. Some time ago there had been some buzz among the village people about a man out in the desert who ate wild locusts. At first Simon just scoffed as he and his partners would make disparaging comments about the “bug man” who was crazy in the wilderness. He disdained men who didn’t work hard to provide for their families.

            But then he discovered that Andrew had been going out to see the so called bug man. One evening, when Andrew was having dinner with him and his wife, he confronted him. Rumors had been swirling around that a small band of people were now spending a lot of time in the desert, following after the bug man. “Actually”, Andrew told him, “I’ve been baptized by him and have become one of his disciples.” The brothers exchanged some tense words, and then finally dropped the subject after a sharp look from Simon’s wife.

            Months went by and Andrew’s devotion to the bug man, called John the Baptist, only grew stronger. At best, Simon would manage to hold his tongue while Andrew went on and on about the prophecies. He couldn’t understand why his brother was doing this, and sometimes he would get frustrated with how he was wasting all his time in the desert instead of helping with the family business. Especially lately because Simon’s luck seemed to be running out. He was barely getting enough fish to keep the two boats he owned running and wondering if he might need to let some of his workers go. His days weren’t as busy since there had been less fish caught and therefore less to be sold.

            Then one day Andrew came to Simon very agitated. “The one, the one the prophets have spoken about, the Messiah—I think I’ve found him!” He was so worked up that Simon couldn’t really understand him. The other fishermen were staring at them, empty nets hanging from their hands. Unable to really calm him down and talk some sense into Andrew, Simon finally agreed to go meet this man out of concern for his brother.

            Tired, irritated, and feeling a bit belligerent, Simon was working up some choice words for his sibling. Andrew was leading him out to the desert in the middle of a workday, and he had left his boats unclean and unready for the next shift. Who was this man that had made his brother so unreasonable? Didn’t he know that their lives were already busy and that somebody had to attend to the family business? What kind of person spent all their time in the wilderness doing God-knows-what instead of something productive for the village? First it was the bug man they called John the Baptist, now his brother was rambling on about the Messiah. It was just too much for Simon and he was ready to finally straighten out not just his brother, but anyone else who got in his way.

            He saw a small crowd in the distance, huddled around a figure that seemed to be teaching. As he drew closer, Simon cleared his throat, ready to confront the so-called Messiah. But with each step he took, Simon grew a bit unsure. There was an unfamiliar feeling rising in his stomach, and he suddenly didn’t feel so sure and confident. All his life he had been a bold person, but now he found himself at a loss for words. He stopped just short of the group and stared at the man, Andrew beside him.

            And then the so-called Messiah looked directly at him in a way that Simon had never been looked at before. “You are Simon son of Jonah. You are to be called Peter.” Their eyes locked, and then the moment passed and the teacher went on addressing the group. Andrew was saying something excitedly to Simon, but he didn’t really hear him. He felt confused, still a little belligerent, but not sure of what had just happened. It was like this man had seen a part of him that even he was unaware of—yet how could that be? Without uttering a single word, Simon turned around and headed back to the village trying to shake it off. Back by the lake, he threw himself into the work of preparing the boats for the evening shift of fishing.

            A couple of weeks passed and Simon’s routine of running the boats at night continued while Andrew now spent almost all his time following after the so-called Messiah. Privately Simon had told his wife about the incident, of how the man had somehow known his name, his father’s name, and then strangely had called him by a new name, Peter which means rock. Neither of them really knew what to make of it, and so Simon tried to forget about it and concentrate his energies on improving the family business. It was what he knew and who he was—a fisherman.

            One morning though, his wife came to him anxious about her mother. Simon’s mother-in-law had been living with them since her husband had died. She had complained about not feeling well the past few days, and he had spent some extra time at the market trading the fish for some medicine. He left his partners to finish cleaning up the boats and hurried back to the house with his wife. His mother-in-law was lying in bed, flushed and moaning. She was barely conscious and breathing shallowly. Unsure of what to do, he began pacing back and forth. Clearly the medicine had not worked, and she seemed to be getting worse with each passing minute.

             Finally, out of desperation, he began to recite some of the scriptures. He struggled to remember them, wishing that Andrew were there. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” His wife had begun crying, and he did not notice one of the servant girls had left the house. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters.” Simon’s mother-in-law seemed to quiet a bit, so he searched his mind for the rest of the words. “He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.” Simon did not notice the growing murmur approaching his house, as the familiar psalm became a prayer. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.”

            At that moment, the man was beside him stretching his hand out over his mother-in-law and uttering things that Simon could not comprehend. He watched, as if in a dream, his mother-in-law rise from the bed and thank the teacher with a kiss on each cheek. There was noise all around him as the crowd that had entered into Simon’s house pressed in to get closer. As if from nowhere, suddenly there appeared many sick villagers whom sought out the man’s healing. Simon was again at a loss for words, and simply sat down and watched the unfolding drama, his mind blank. At some point Andrew was there, excitedly speaking to his wife and mother-in-law. Time seemed to stand still, as people came and went, his house the center of miraculous activity. Then the man was moving, heading out the door and Simon realized that hours had gone by and it was now dawn.

            Somehow Simon roused himself from his trance, wondering for a second time what had just happened. As the days passed, word of the teacher’s healings spread and many people from all over Galilee came to the village. Strangers would stand outside his house, pointing eagerly and talking about the miracles. He no longer felt belligerent, but Simon was unsure of what to think. Twice now this man had crossed his path and both times Simon was left feeling uncertain about himself, something he was not used to. So he worked even harder at his fishing business, because it was the one thing that he did know about himself—he was a fisherman.

            The teacher remained in their village and the crowds grew larger and larger. But Simon went on about his usual routine, fishing at night and trading during the day. Business still wasn’t doing great, and several evenings the boats would come back empty. Simon resolved to work harder, trying to maintain his reputation as a good fisherman, all the while keeping his distance from the crowds and teacher.

            Then one morning, after a particularly long night, Simon caught sight of the crowds heading towards the lake. Looking around, he realized that the teacher was right by him and the boats. It was strange how the teacher always seemed to be suddenly present by him—it was unnerving though he was beginning to get used to it. He did not, however, want to be among the crowds who had taken to following and swarming around the teacher. He was not one of them. So he quickened his cleaning of the boats and nets, stepping out onto the shore so he could make his getaway before all the people arrived.

            But then something unexpected happened. The man stepped into his boat just as he stepped off. Before he could say anything, the teacher asked him to put out from shore a little ways. Looking at the nearing crowd and his now occupied boat, Simon decided he couldn’t leave his boat, the source of his whole livelihood and for that matter, his whole identity with this strange man. He stepped back into his boat and pushed off because he too did not want to be pressed by the crowds of people.

            Now he was stuck, sitting with the man as he taught the crowds from the boat. This was not what he had in mind and he wondered how long before he could reclaim his boat. Finally the crowds seemed ready to leave, either because they were satisfied by the teaching or bored because the man hadn’t produced any more miracles. When there were just a few people left, Simon lowered the oars back into the water, getting ready to row back to shore. However, the teacher interrupted him saying, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

            Simon was dumbfounded. It was nearly noon now, with the sun blazing overhead. Even people who weren’t fishermen knew that you didn’t go fishing during the day, because the fish could see the nets. And he was exhausted after being out all night and stuck all morning in his boat. He stood frozen, not sure what to do. Andrew’s words began to sound in his head, “The one, the one the prophets have spoken about, the Messiah—I think I’ve found him!” That feeling of uncertainty started to rise, making Simon uncomfortable again. Because he did not know what else to do, he answered him: “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”

            After dropping the nets into the water, they quickly began to tug and pull. Surprised, Simon yanked on them to see what they were caught on. He quickly realized that there were fish in them, many fish. Straining to bring the catch on board, the nets began to tear. He couldn’t believe what was happening. His whole adult life he had prided himself on his fishing expertise, and here was this strange man who did not come from any sort of fishing background directing him to a huge catch. The teacher sat there calmly, watching him pull in fish after fish.

            Simon signaled for his partners to come with the other boat to help. Several minutes later the net showed no signs of being emptied as the fish continued to pour onto the boats. The other men, at first elated with the successful catch and forthcoming wealth, soon grew quiet as they kept pulling fish after fish out of the net. The uncertainty that was in Simon’s stomach began to turn into fear as his boat became heavier and heavier with the load. All his life, all he strived to be as a fisherman, suddenly seemed oppressive with the mounting catch surrounding him. Then his boat began to sink, so heavy was the burden of fish.

            In that moment Simon became overwhelmed. Who was he as a fisherman in light of this catch? What was he supposed to do with his life when the past months had been full of struggles to keep the family business going? As the water filled the boats, Simon snapped out of his reverie and saw that the man was still calmly sitting there, watching him. He suddenly felt like that rock, Peter, that the teacher had named him. A sinking rock as his whole identity was submerging him into the lake.

            He stumbled across the piles of fish and fell down at the man’s knees. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore but sensed that the teacher had incredible, terrifying power. Feeling crushed by the weight of the fish in his boat, he cried out to him, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
            And then the burden began to lift, with the water subsiding back into the lake and the boats stabilizing. As his breathing slowed, his vision also cleared and he looked all around him. There they were, hundreds and hundreds of fish, just lying there. The teacher stood up, reached out his hand to Simon Peter and said to him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”

            Simon Peter took his hand and found himself off his knees, upright again facing the teacher. The boats were moving towards shore, filled with the miraculous catch of fish. With each stroke of the oar, Simon Peter knew that he was approaching a major decision. As the men docked the boats, the teacher stepped off and started walking away. Simon Peter looked at his boats, filled with fish, and then at the figure growing more distant.

            No longer afraid, but still feeling uncertain, Simon Peter found himself trailing after the man. All he knew lay back with those boats and fish, but the teacher’s invitation beckoned to him. What did the man mean that he would be fishing for people? Where was he taking him? With a growing sense that this person held his destiny, Peter felt sure that he had to go. It was beyond reason and logic, he simply knew deep within himself that his life’s meaning and purpose was wrapped up with the man. As he hurried his pace to catch up, he realized that his partners were a little ways behind him. Grateful for the company, Peter paused a moment so that he was no longer journeying alone. Then together, they left everything and followed him.