And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10b ESV)
FEAR NOT… THEN GET PERSONAL
Simon Peter was afraid because Jesus had just given him more fish than he had likely ever caught. He suddenly knew, practically, that this Jesus was more than merely a wise teacher. He was the Son of God.
And I do not really know what went through Peter’s mind. Maybe he was intimated by the wealth that increased fishing would bring him. Maybe he was worried that he might say something stupid, or act thoughtlessly, or even publicly deny that this really WAS the Messiah. Maybe he was overwhelmed with an awareness of exactly Who stood next to Peter.
But Jesus put it in perspective. Jesus had not been born in Bethlehem to impress Peter’s customers. Jesus had not left heaven, and gotten his holy feet dirty on the Judean roads to make it into the Guinness Book of Records. Jesus had not chosen Peter and the twelve to make sure their names would be written on some historical plaque.
Jesus came to save lives, for eternity.
If Peter was going to be afraid, maybe that would be a reason. Souls are more important than Perch. Souls are more important than cheers. Souls are more important than headlines.
Whatever we find ourselves daily doing for the Kingdom of God, in the Kingdom of God, as the Kingdom of God, do not be distracted by the fish. By the amazing coincidences Jesus enacts. By the surprising wonders He shines at us.
Instead, it is all about people.
Fear not, then get personal.