Though we are weak and sinful

“Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!”…”Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:8, 10)

There are many similarities between this story and John 21, namely, the miraculous catch of fish.

But it’s the feeling of Simon and Jesus’ response in both stories that really struck me.

Simon sees his own sinfulness and says, “Jesus, I’m not worthy to be with you.”

And Jesus tells him, “Hey, don’t be afraid. I see your sinfulness, but I still want to be with you and use you for my work.”

Fast forward to after the resurrection. More than ever, Simon sees his own weakness and sinfulness. After all, he had denied Jesus three times, just hours after he had promised to be faithful to Jesus.

And though he doesn’t say, “Go away from me, I’m a sinful man,” there are probably even stronger feelings of unworthiness in Peter. “Can Jesus still use me? Does he even want to use me?”

And yet Jesus reassures him.

“Do you love me? Yes? Good. Feed my lambs.”

“Do you love me? Yes? Good. Take care of my sheep.”

“Do you love me? Yes? Good. Feed my sheep.”

Then he told Peter, “Follow me.”

That’s awesome to me. Jesus sees my weaknesses. He sees my sin.

But while I would cry out, “Depart from me, I’m a sinful man. I’m unworthy of you,” he says, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve accepted you despite your weaknesses, despite your failures. Now follow me. And join me in touching others with the grace and love I’ve given you.”