Grace – 3
Was grace different in the Old Covenant than what we experience in the New Covenant? Grace is the same. We all received from the fullness of God. Grace flows from the excess of God. Grace is always enough. When you need it most, grace will show up. I want to look at another story. This time it is Peter. When he needed it most, grace showed up.
Luke 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Luke 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
In this story we see Peter. He was a fisherman and it was his business. I believe he was a great fisherman to be able to make a living from it. As a fisherman he would know when to fish. In biblical times they would fish at night in some seasons. We see that Peter makes the comment to Jesus that they had fished all night and had caught nothing. Can you imagine what mood he was in? Going home with no fish. Nothing to sell so he could pay the bills or even feed his family. Stayed up all night just so that Jesus could come and use his boat to preach from. I think Peter needed grace just to do that. Grace will show up when you have failed to perform. Grace will show up when your ability to provide has come up short.
So after Jesus preached he asks Peter to go back out to the sea to catch some fish. Shall we say 'try to catch some fish' because the timing to fish was wrong? I love Peter’s response. He had never met Jesus. This is their first encounter. I wonder what Jesus was teaching from Peter’s boat because it gave Peter faith to respond to Jesus’ request. So Peter said to Jesus, "At your word.” Grace will evoke faith in your heart to respond to the command of God. Grace will show up in the time that is wrong for catching fish and raise enough faith in your heart to do the thing that is contrary to logical reasoning. Grace will release the word in your dry seasons, your not enough seasons, and your “didn’t make it” seasons and cause you to act in faith.
So Peter lets his net down and it was filled with so much fish that the net started to tear. Grace will show up when everybody thinks it is the wrong time and release abundance to you. Peter had to call some of his friends to come and help. They filled their boats to the brim. Grace brought enough fish to the boat so that even his partners had a change of season from nothing to abundance. Their families would also have enough now.
Jesus gives Peter a new career. “From now on you will catch men or be a fisher of men.” When grace shows up it changes your destiny. What skills you have acquired will help but now you will no longer live in the season of what men need, but you will live in the season with what God needs. Peter forsook all he had and followed Jesus. Grace makes it possible for us to transition to the place God has prepared for us. Grace makes it possible to leave what we know so well. Grace leads us into the unknown where we will find that real fulfillment is only in His command.
Peter, you don’t just leave your business and follow someone you just met. How can you be certain that you are not making a mistake? Peter, you worked years to be able to buy a boat. What is the family going to say and what about your wife and your children? Peter knew what grace showed him. In the time of need grace could provide in abundance. If grace can provide so much, then no need in the future could be bigger than grace. He didn’t abandon his business to follow someone that was in need. He abandoned his business to follow someone that is always more than enough. Jesus came full of grace. With Jesus you will never lack any good thing!