Do Not Be Afraid

The response that Christ receives in each area of His ministry was dependent on the people’s response to His grace; it was dependent on faith. In Nazareth the people expected Him to do mighty works there simply because He was raised in their city. When Christ told them He would not do so they attempted to kill Him and throw Him over a cliff. In Capernaum the people responded by faith and Christ cast out demons and healed the sick. Luke then focuses on an individual’s response. Because of the crowds Christ has to preach from a boat offshore and He chooses Peter’s boat. This was not the first time Peter had interacted with Christ. Peter had met Christ when told about Him from his brother Andrew. Then Christ called Peter and told him that He would make him a fisher of men. And Christ had also healed Peter’s mother in law as well. In this story Peter is found counting the cost of following Christ. Peter still had a degree of ownership over his life. He still maintained a measure of ownership over his occupation and his future. He had a secure and stable existence. But then Christ tells him to let down his net again there is a miraculous catch of fish. Christ showed Peter that He is sovereign over all things, even the fish in the Sea of Galilee. What would have taken weeks or months of work the LORD provided in a moment. Peter repents and sees that he can trust Christ with all things! He repents of his possessiveness, worries, concerns, planning, and dreams. He forsook all and followed Him. Do not let your worries and concerns keep you from following Him and doing what He is calling you to do for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Click here to listen: Do Not Be Afraid