3 Callings to Peter
We often hear the story of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew audaciously following Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:18-22. This was the first calling to Peter and it was not a facile decision to make. Peter had to leave his job, family, friends, and everything else to follow Jesus. How often do we give up what we have to follow our Messiah? For Peter, nothing or no one got in his way when he decided to follow Christ.
However in Luke 5:1-2, we see that Peter is catching fishes again. Notice here that Peter is going through trials just like us. After following Jesus, Peter was disappointed and discouraged at the financial situation Jesus was in. He left everything to follow Christ but he gained nothing. Nonetheless, Jesus came to call Peter again.
Although, like Peter, we might suffer from financial difficulties, persecutions, or any other hardships, we have to realize that following Jesus Christ is the best calling we can ever have. "And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake." [Luke 5:6] After the miracle was performed, Peter knelt down on the ground and surrendered himself to his Master.
Friends, before we go on and talk about Peter's third calling, please read John 21:1-14. This is taking place after Jesus had resurrected and His disciples did not recognize Him.
Peter was in despair because his Master was dead. Moreover, Peter was sure of himself that he could do anything for the Lord but he denied Christ three times. So he gave up and went back to his old occupation. But that night, Jesus was watching His disciples catching no fishes all night and finally, He told them to throw the net one more time. After catching the massive amount of fishes, Peter recognized his Master and knelt down on the ground once again.
If this is the same God we serve today, friends, don't we have hope in the Lord? I don't know which point you are at but let us have faith in the Lord for He is calling us today and tomorrow the same. Just as Christ prepared breakfast for the disciples who were out working all night long, He is preparing heaven for all of us. Wouldn't you like to dine with your Master after this long toiling work on Earth? Friends, let us be ready so we can dine with Him and receive the eternal glory that He has prepared for us.