Listen

So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink. When Simon Peter saw the catch, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” Peter and those with him were overcome with amazement because of the number of fish they caught. James and John, Zebedee’s sons, were Simon’s partners and they were amazed too.

Luke 5:6-10a

Think

Wow! After fishing all night and not catching a thing, Simon drops his nets as Jesus said and caught so many fish he had to call for back up! More fish than they could fit in their boat, more than they could fit in the boat of their partners, too! We read that Simon is overcome with amazement because of the number of fish. He’s also overcome with amazement because he knows this happened because of Jesus and because of him saying yes to doing what Jesus asked him to do (throw the nets in even though he had already been fishing all night without catching anything, as we read yesterday).

Today’s verses encourage me to examine what being overcome with amazement looks like. Simon and his fishing partners do not congratulate themselves and start calculating how much money they’re going to make from this catch. Instead, Simon falls at the feet of Jesus, in gratitude and in the realization that he is a sinner. Why should he benefit from this?

Emily Peck-McClain

Pray

Jesus, who loves us all, help me to be overcome with amazement that you know and love me. Even when I am aware of my faults, which surely you are, too, show me that these do not prevent you from asking me to be a part of your work. In amazement of your grace, I pray, amen.

Go

Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17