Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Here we have the account of the call of Simon Peter.

Tired & disappointed. Night fishing, nothing. Who is this Jesus?

Why borrow boat?! But OK, rowed a little out. Listen teaching.

Maybe had heard about Jesus? Certainly hear him now!

Then Jesus says go out and fish! Cheek of it! Been out all night!

That’s best time. Not by day. But did as told

Nets bulged. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Now, it is possible to read this as Peter trying to get rid of Jesus.

Some recoil from teaching, and turn away. Or cut out bits.

Not here. No desire to ignore, but actually realising who He is.

Like recoiling from bright light. Hard to bear brightness

Consider: “depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord”.

A sinful man. Peter knew he was human.

Might sound odd, but we act as if gods! He knew limited.

Even in his fishing! Now nets were full.

To see Jesus is to see own limits.

We can only know something God if he reveals. We accept.

A sinfulman. Now, this not old fashioned language

Not only true – we do get things wrong – but also liberating

Oh to know that you are not perfect, and God knows what!

Have to acknowledge ill before see doctor

Sooner accept we sinners the sooner we can turn to a saviour.

The third thing Peter says is profound: he calls Jesus “Lord”.

Now, word lost power. House of Lords. Donors.

Then was absolute command and ruled.

But also YHWH = Lord!

Jesus is to be obeyed, and is God.

So this is the core of faith. Man. Sin. Lord

Acknowledge simply human, allow God to tell us what he is like:

We sinful people, in need of God’s help. T

Acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Not depart, but come Lord Jesus!