Movement in Faith

Faith in Motion

The older I get, that faster time seams to go. I used to think babies were babies forever. Now I am amazed at how quickly they grow and develop.

Like time, Faith is never stagnant. Faith is moving and growing, even when it seems challenged or regressing — it is merely a season in the story you share with Jesus. Its a stage in development.

Season of Epiphany — A Season revealing who Jesus truly is

Here Jesus calls his first disciples. He teaches and acts with authority

But then he calls some out to the deep. To witness a a miracle. To glimpse who Jesus really is.

As disciples we are called to movement. To life in the shallows amongst the seekers and the curious, the ignorant and the needy. We are called to the deep for meaningful encounters with Jesus. Why? So that we can follow him back on the shore.

The Shallows

Teasing Marion at Grand lake. Using the water and the shore as a natural amphitheatre.

What I love about this passage is that Peter and the crew are just doing their thing. Jesus is just doing his thing. But they are in the same place.

Jesus has a need. The crowds are pressing in on him. He wants to teach. He presumptuously gets into Peter’s boat. Was Peter hanging on every word? Did he want to hear more from this Rabbi?

Generously, Peter lets Jesus use the boat and he goes out into the shallows. Peter has fished all night and caught nothing. He’s doing over time now, but he is enthralled.

The Good news here. Jesus comes to us — in what we are doing. And more than saying its all about you. He invites us, to participate in what he us doing.

I heard an interview this week tin which an expert in religions said all religions are narcissistic. Jesus loves me! But he does not get that, while that personal love of God in Jesus is true - the call of Jesus is to get self out of the centre for the sake of his Kingdom.

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer so succinctly wrote: “When Jesus calls [someone], the call is to come and die.

The Deep

Deferring to an expert. Carpenter. Mechanic. Gardener. Decorator. There are so few of us who are good at everything. Part of being in community is recognizing that different people bring different things to the table to compliment others.

Jesus was a tradesmen become preacher. He was not a fisherman. So when presumes to tell Peter how to fish it would have been laughable. What would Jesus know? Its better to fish in the night then the day.

And yet. Something moves Simon Peter. I know better, but because you want me to, I will go out to the deep and let down the nets. We see here an openness in Peter, and ability to trust and obey Jesus.

Where the shallows are for the curious. The deep is for the committed. As disciples of Jesus we are called to encounter the curious, the seekers, the needy in the shallows. But we are also called to follow Jesus to the deep.

Deep (Shared) Truth

The deep is where we come to see Jesus more clearly. The deep is where we encounter the power and majesty of our God.

Here we see a miraculous catch of fish. Its so great that Simon calls the others to help bring in the catch.

The deep is not for the individual, but for the community of Faith, to gather and grapple with the truth of Jesus

Deep Conviction

BCP Worm Theology for the self-focused. Worship of God as Holy for the God focused.

Peter’s reaction to Jesus shows his perception that a holy man would have nothing to do with an everyday sinner. Its the belief that bad company corrupts good character.

But when it comes to Jesus — the presence of God transforms the everyday into the sacred. Peter could not contaminate Jesus. But Jesus could make Peter holy.

Peter’s confession of sin is what qualifies him for service. He is displaying a proper posture before our God.

A New Calling

Do not be afraid

From now on you will be a fisher of people.

The Journey

Riding the wave at Typhoon Lagoon. The guy was like a human torpedo. By fully capitalizing on the pool He got kicked out of the pool

Peter, James and John had the best catch of their lives, and left it all for something better.

They return to the shallows, and leave the fish and the boats behind in order to follow Jesus.

Do we all have to abandon our lives to follow Jesus? No. We are called to new priorities — ________________ for Jesus.

Faith in Motion

Available where we are at. Jesus is doing something. How can we join in?

Invitation to go deep. Encounter Jesus. Share the mystery with our fellow disciples.

Follow Jesus’ leading in our new calling. Do not be afraid. Follow.