Sometimes, reason seems to go against the ways of faith. It makes sense, really, because we live in a tangible, measurable, factual world. Or, do we? Shakespeare had Hamlet say to Horatio, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy" (Hamlet, Acts 1, Scene 5). Even science is living and moving. It is not static. What was consider fact, years ago, in many instances, is now seen not to be fact at all. So, maybe it is good to have an open mind, because our minds are, in fact, finite.
On the way to Pentecost we are brought face to face with the ways of human thinking and the ways of God; and, the two do not always match. Take Peter’s fishing experience. He knew his trade, and he knew that sometimes the fishing is good and sometimes it isn’t. When it isn’t, you clean up your equipment, get a good night’s rest, and go back at it the next day. Then Jesus turns your world up-side-down. He says, “forget your conclusions, Peter, and trust me.” Peter, knows Jesus is out of his element but believes in him enough to say, “We worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets” (vs. 5). The results? Mindboggling.
Sometimes, Jesus tests our common sense, and we are left scratching our heads, thinking that what He says isn’t making sense. Could it be, however, that there is such a power at work in the world under which, even common sense, is placed? Faith will sometimes test common sense, and call us out of ourselves and into the power of God. That’s what Jesus seems to be doing with Simon Peter.
Peter did what Jesus suggested, and the results were so staggering to him he said, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (vs. 8). Peter realized He was in the presence of someone who, in His actions, stretched his imagination to the limit and forced him to a new level of self-awareness. “Amazement had seized” Peter, and stopped him dead in his tracks. Then Peter heard life-transforming words from Jesus, “Do not fear, from now own you will be catching men” (vs. 10). Peter and James and John (who were his partners) took Him seriously, and we read, “They left everything and followed Him” (vs. 11).
On the day of Pentecost, a movement will begin that will so impact countless numbers of people that for twenty centuries they will leave everything and follow Jesus. These people will see through the ways and means of humankind, look into the face of God, by faith, and it will change their lives. You may be one of those people.
C. S. Lewis said something that speaks to my heart. He said, “Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you others can see Him.” That’s what happened to Peter and his partners. For the rest of their lives they sought to live so that through their lives people would see Jesus.
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