And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:10c,11 ESV)
Simon (later Peter) had just seen a shocking thing. His fishing nets had gone from empty to full. And he was afraid. Jesus’ gift of the fish appropriately drove Simon to repentance. He was overwhelmed with God’s power, wielded by Jesus before Simon’s eyes. Simon’s focus went inward to an awareness of his unworthiness of the gift, and his unworthiness to even be in the presence of Jesus.
Wow, Jesus doesn’t encourage Simon in the resulting fear. We expect Jesus to agree with Simon’s fear. We expect a lecture about the goodness of Simon’s fear of God’s present power. We expect Jesus to smile approvingly as Simon transfers all of his fear from Fear of Evil to Fear of God.
Simon spent the night in growing fear. His empty nets meant economic disaster. His empty nets meant shame as a professional. His empty nets meant family crisis. His empty nets meant hunger.
But it was not Jesus’ intent to transfer Simon’s fear from THOSE fears to a similar fear of God.
Jesus wanted to remove Simon’s fear altogether.
He wanted Simon’s fears changed into peace. He wanted Simon’s fears changed into hope. He wanted Simon’s fears changed into witness.
Being Jesus, He won.
Jesus’ Words, and Simon’s discipleship display Jesus’ answer to Simon’s fear.
Simon didn’t even need to fear God!
Not because Simon was so cool. But because Jesus changes ALL fear into peace, hope, and witness. EVEN the fear we might have of God. Even the fear that we SHOULD have of God.
I know that is a big pill to swallow.
But it is the essence of the gospel.
Fear not, follow Him.