During this episode, Simon's problems become more serious as Quintus is convinced that he double-crossed him. He's supposed to be turning in fishermen that fish on Shabbat (the sabbath) to avoid taxation, but he plan is failing as he wrestles with turning in his fellow Jews. There is a point where Simon has a fight with Eden and he's outside getting his nets ready to go fishing when Andrew arrives out of breath and says he's seen the messiah. Simon is less than excited and says, unless he can help me with my debt to Rome or help Eden's mother get better, he's not interested. But Andrew's faith rises up and says. "anything is possible if the messiah has arrived! Don't you see?" Has there been a point in your life when someone was sharing the good news of Jesus with you but you didn't want to hear it? I there was a period of my life when I didn't want to hear it. But looking back, I'm glad someone did. I'm glad someone wasn't worried about offending me, but was there to share the love of God despite my apathy.
Matthew says to Simon, "Turn yourself in, you have no feasible plan." Simon says, "If I go down, it'll be doing what God bid me to do." So, Simon goes out fishing one more night, knowing that Quintus is coming to get him in the morning. While on the water, Simon complains to God and continues to catch nothing. He yells at the sky, "This is the God I've served so faithfully my whole life. I think you enjoy yanking us around like goats!" Have you ever screamed out your complaints to God? Or been at wits end sharing your case to Him for how you would like the future to work out? I have. I've shared my heart twice in my life and both times told Him I don't know if I can do this anymore. Both times he heard my prayer and changed my situation within a few months.
Zebedee and his sons James and John go out to help him fish since Eden had shared Simon was in trouble. Since Quintus is coming, Simon says this is his last night fishing as a free man unless he catches enough fish to pay his tax debts. Zebedee and his sons suggest he flee with a merchant caravan or find another way to avoid imprisonment by the Romans. Andrew tries to share more about Jesus, but Simon won't hear it. He says I don't need a lamb, I need fish. Meanwhile, Matthew spies on Simon from shore.
After a night of catching nothing, they land on shore just as Jesus is teaching to a small crowd. Jesus asks to use Simon and Andrew's boat so the crowd can hear him better and asks Simon to stick around for a while until he's done teaching because he has something for him. Simon reluctantly stays and listens to the end of his teaching. When done, Jesus tells Simon to put down for a catch. Simon says, "I don't have a quarrel with you teacher, but we've doing this all night. Nothing." Jesus stares at Simon until Simon says, "Alright, at your word." He then pulls in enough fish to pay the tax debts of him and his brother. The miraculous catch.
And what is Simon's response. "Depart from me, I am a sinful man. You don't know who I am and the things I've done." What is Jesus' response? "Don't be afraid, Simon. Lift up your head, fisherman." Simon says, "What do you want from me? Anything you ask I will do." Jesus simply says, "Follow me," and Simon does. Why does Simon respond this way? In this story, Simon was in a serious place of need. A place where there was nowhere else to turn. And God met him there. He rescued him, despite being a "sinful man." Do you think situations like Simon's are common? Can you relate in your own life?
Summary Questions:
- Has there been a point in your life when someone was sharing the good news of Jesus with you but you didn't want to hear it?
- Have you ever screamed out your complaints to God? Or been at wits end sharing your case to Him for how you would like the future to work out?
- Why does Simon respond this way (saying he's a sinful man)?
- God rescued Simon, despite being a "sinful man." Do you think situations like Simon's are common? Can you relate in your own life?
No comments:
Post a Comment