January 4, 2016

Lord, Please Leave Me!

“Lord, please leave me!” This is not Peter’s first encounter with the Lord. Already Jesus had healed his mother-in-law of a fever. Perhaps Peter suspected that the healing was merely a coincidence. He had heard Jesus teach, but there have been plenty of wise teachers who come and go. It was common in that day for a Rabbi to have a group of disciples, and wasn’t this Jesus just another one to Peter?

It isn’t until Jesus trumps Peter at his own profession, fishing, that he is suddenly convinced that this is no ordinary man. Peter was filled with amazement at the miracle of filling his net with fish to the verge of sinking his boat. Like the prophet Isaiah upon coming into the presence of the Lord, Peter understood his own insignificance in comparison to the glorious King.

In light of this, Peter was aware of his own sinfulness, and he cried out, “Oh Lord, please leave me. Peter had witnessed Jesus healing the sick and driving out demons. Now he realized that the Lord was interested in not only saving him but helping him in day to day matters. Notice how gently Jesus calls Peter, and us all. “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be fishers of men (Luke 5:10).

Finally, God has two requirements for us. We must recognize our own sinfulness and that we can only be saved by trusting in His grace.

“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.”  –G.K. Chesterton

Prayer: Most Holy God, my limited view is getting in the way of truth. Even when I don’t feel it, help me to know without a doubt Your goodness and faithfulness to me.

Luke 5:8

⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” _(NLT)

Read more Daily Exercises.