(This sermon was delivered to a group recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.) Now the interesting thing about the Jews – and the thing that makes us addicts so very much like them – is just how thick headed, and stubborn, and how defiant they could be.
Wherever we spend the bulk of our time, in that familiar workplace, there on our own turf, Jesus speaks a word of grace and power directly to us. Will we hear it? To Simon he said; "Put out in deep water, and let down your nets for a catch." What foolish suggestion is the Lord making to you?
There is nothing simple or haphazard about an execution. Some years ago, one state released its plans for a new execution facility. Everyone involved in the execution is to be isolated from everyone else. The witness room is to be done in light and cheerful colors. The family lounge is designed to resemble a living room.
God claims the least likely individuals as his children and gives them the authority to speak and act in his name. They all have one thing in common: They’re not worthy. They’re woefully inadequate. Their feet are made of clay. Sound like anyone you know?
So, what do you think? Is anything that important, that it would be worth losing your life over? Dietrich Bonhoeffer thought so. He was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany, who joined the resistance effort in an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
Having been cleansed and restored to God, let's be like Peter and Isaiah take up the challenge to catch people - telling them what Jesus means to us. Let's not excuse ourselves with the plea, "Master, we worked all night and took nothing. We tried so hard but we haven't had any luck."
These stories of Simon and Isaiah reveal a pattern, a pattern that occurs in our lives as well. It may happen at a time of crisis, when the king is dead. It may happen some place where we know how life works. In either case a word of grace and power is spoken—directly to us. Will we hear this invitation?
For whom was Jesus praying? Most likely his prayer included not only the soldiers who were inflicting his wounds, but also the Jewish leaders who instigated the crucifixion, the crowd that demanded it, and the disciples who, for the most part, were nowhere to be found.
Spring cleaning always came on a Saturday – Dad was at work, and we were in school the other days of the week – there was no such thing as "Spring Break" back then – and to work on Sunday – well, that was out of the question. Saturday was spring cleaning day.
Peter trusted, as did the other disciples, and they hit it big. However, they will hit it even bigger when they put their efforts into relationships. Jesus needs followers who are "people focused" and not "self focused."