Monday, September 26, 2011

Recognizing a prophet or the Savior - Peter's example

Peter likely spent his entire life as a fisherman. As a result he could easily recognize when an outcome was unusual or peculiar when it came to fishing. During one of their first encounters, Jesus used Peter's ship as a platform for speaking. Afterwards, he invited Peter to go back out and fish, saying that Peter would catch some fish. Peter said, "it's unlikely we'll catch anything as we haven't all day, but if you tell me to fish, I'll do it." The outcome of fishing was perhaps the greatest catch Peter had ever participated in. He immediately recognized Jesus as a divine person and worshiped him. This quick recognition led to an invitation to help others recognize the Savior as a disciple and later Apostle of the Savior.

Below is the actual text from Luke. I think 2 ideas are of particular note:
1) When an unusual or very good result happens in a situation in life and it is tied to God in some way, it is important to recognize that as something God was involved in. This is a sign of a spiritual person. It can be very logical to conclude God was involved as is the case in this example.
2) Christ has an ability to multiply our abilities. If everything we did were efficient, we would be so much more capable. We need him to help us be more capable and accomplish more. It appears he's willing to do this in our work as well as in our efforts to serve him as long as his help ends up leading to more efforts to serve him (as in Peter's case).



1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a adraught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have atoiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net abrake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt acatch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they aforsookall, and bfollowed him.

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