“…obey everything I have commanded you…I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
In Luke 5:1-11, we read the account of Simon Peter, whose life was transformed by a simple act of obedience. He was a fisherman whom Jesus had instructed to launch out into the deep and let down his net for a catch of fish. Peter said he had worked all night and caught nothing, but he obeyed Jesus’ instructions, and the nets broke because he caught so many fish.
Peter was knee-deep in this miraculous catch when he was called. His response to Jesus was “…Depart from me for I am a sinful man…” (V 8) in other words: “I am not your guy,” but Jesus’ response was “…Do not be afraid, from now on you will fish for men.” (10). We have all been called to go and make disciples in spite of who we are.
Peter was transformed from a rough fisherman to one of Jesus’ closest disciples. The same Jesus, who has been given all authority, can transform us just as He transformed Peter.
Looking at Peter’s life, we can see that he was a man full of enthusiasm, strong-willed, impulsive, and at times brash. Peter was flawed, yet Jesus called him to be His follower and to become the rock of His church (Matthew 4:19; Matthew 16:18).
Brethren, spiritual effectiveness is not based on perfection but on our willingness to follow God. Mark Batterson coined it beautifully: “God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.”
God has called every believer to carry out the mandate of the Great Commission despite our flaws or status. The simple fact is that we are to share the Gospel and make disciples, and this mission applies to every believer; it is not restricted to the pastors or missionaries but extends to everyone who follows Christ.
In John 13:34-35 (NKJV), Jesus commands us to “…love one another…By this all will know that you are My disciples…” Love is the distinguishing mark of a disciple. Let us walk in love as we go to disciple the nations.
Prayer
Lord, today, I answer the call of the great Commission. Draw me closer to You every day. Let me be an instrument of Your love. Help me to walk faithfully in Your ways. Lord, help me to take up my cross and follow You daily in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Read: Luke 6:40; Luke 14:26
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 87; Romans 6:1-14; Hosea 1; Hosea 2