Peter – a fisher of men

Dear Friends,

Peter, also known as Simon or Simon Peter, is our next example of workers from the Bible.

His story spans across the entire new testament, beginning as an ordinary Galilean Fisherman, he became the first disciple of our Lord Jesus and then grew to become a great Apostle and Leader of the early Church. An example of Peter’s biography can be read at http://bit.ly/biographyofpeter

This blog is about how to be true disciples of Jesus Christ in the workplace, so we shall focus on Peter’s work as a fisherman and how he translates to becoming a fisher of men. To do this, we look at a few samples of Bible passages describing his call to fish for men, his return to ordinary fishing, and his restoration back to a fisher of men.

Stages in Peter’s journey as a fisher of men

Peter – called to be a fisher of men (Luke 5: 1-11)

Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen on Lake Gennesareth when they first encountered the Lord.

The Bible records that the crowd was pressing upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon Peter, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” And when they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. When Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed him.

Peter returns to ordinary fishing (John 21:1-11)

Peter and a few other disciples were together when Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was him. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

One disciple said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, and immediately went out to meet Jesus who had already prepared for them a breakfast of fish and bread.

Jesus restores Peter to fisher of men (John 21:15-17)

After they had breakfast, Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord,’’ he said, ‘’you know that I love you.” Jesus said, ‘’Feed my lambs’’.

Jesus repeated the same question a second time and then a third time after which Peter answered “Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you.’’ Jesus again told Peter to feed His lambs and to follow Him.

Peter, finally a great fisher of men (Acts 2:14- 41)

After the Holy Spirit was poured out on all the disciples on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a great sermon. Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

How can we apply the lessons to also become a fisher of men?

Christ’s disciples in the workplace can take several applications from the example of Peter as a fisher of men. Below are a few to consider:

• Peter trusted Jesus enough to leave fishing and follow Him and he grew in faith enough to step out of the boat to join Him in walking on the water. But he denied Christ three times before the cock crowed as Jesus had foretold, after insisting he would do no such thing. This means that we can do nothing by our power. It is only by His grace that our faith can stand in times of trouble.
• Although he loved Jesus deeply, Peter was a flawed man just like us. He was presumptuous, impatient, he had a temper, and was scared for his life, among other imperfections. But despite his human failings Jesus saw the potential for real holiness and called him to service. Jesus knows us even more than we know ourselves. He knows all our past, present, and future flaws, yet He is still interested in using each of us to build His Church.
• Again, Peter was a simple man, not wealthy or educated, a humble fisherman, yet he was called, trained, and empowered by Christ to lead the early church on the earth. Jesus can use anyone to achieve His Kingdom purpose. He prefers to use the weak and the humble so the glory only goes to God.
• Can Jesus help us in our secular work? Absolutely yes! Jesus, on two separate occasions, showed Peter and his fellow fishermen that what they toiled for overnight can easily be achieved if they listen to His instructions. Jesus gave Peter and his fishermen mates simple instructions, leading to abundant harvests beyond their imaginations. Jesus can do the same for us in our secular work. We can easily achieve what others ceaselessly toil for if we deepen our relationship with God so we can hear and obey His instructions.
• The same Peter, that had so many failings, became one of the greatest Apostle and Disciple of Jesus after his restoration by the Lord. Peter saw His risen Lord, was allowed to repent of denying Him and confessed his love for the Lord. He was then commissioned into full service. His faith was strengthened to the extent that he was able to boldly proclaim the gospel, willing to suffer and if necessary die for the cause. We can also be like the great Apostle Peter of the book of Acts; bold, passionate, and fruitful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How shall we conclude?

Jesus is taking each of us His disciples through the same journey He took Peter. He has called each of us to follow him and He has specific roles for us in His Church. Like Peter, we will also fail many times but Jesus will always come to restore us if we let Him. We need to continue to grow and learn as He molds us into His image until we are also ready to lay down everything, even our lives to do His will.

God wants us to simply believe in Him and His Word. He wants us to follow Him, to focus on our relationship with Him and put His kingdom first in our lives. He loves us and there is nothing we can do that makes Him love us less. Just as He prayed for Peter, He is rooting for us to also overcome and finish well. We just need to repent, return to Him and let Him restore and refresh us each time we fail.

I hope you have benefited from reading this blog and if so, share it with others. Please also continue to send your feedback and comments to hello@fmministry.co.uk or use the comment box below.

Fishers of Men Ministry is set up to support individuals to become followers of Jesus Christ through the preaching of the Gospel of His Kingdom and then to help each one grow in discipleship. Please check out our website to see how you can get involved in this work https://fmministry.co.uk/getting-involved

God bless you and let us keep growing in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ

Adesina