Connecting the Dots

Meditations in the Season of Epiphany 

January 31, 2022

Connecting the Dots

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”

Luke 5:8

Read: Luke 5:1-11

In Chapter four, we learn that Jesus traveled to Capernaum, which was Simon Peter’s hometown. Jesus stayed there quite a while teaching in the synagogue every Sabbath day. (4:31) On one occasion, he cast a demon out of a man, then went to Peter’s house and healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Later that evening, he healed many of various diseases and set many free from demons. Peter would have been aware of all this. Jesus used Peter’s boat as a pulpit and then gave Peter a fishing lesson. Peter’s response to Jesus indicated he already had a great respect for him: “Master,” Simon replied, . . .” (v.5)

Peter obeyed Jesus’ lesson on fishing and was stunned by the size of the catch. Verse eight, above, is itself quite stunning. Peter proclaims Jesus as ‘Lord’ with the same word that is used for God in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. In just a few moments, Peter went from addressing Jesus with a respectful, Master, to proclaiming him God. Peter’s epiphany moment was so compelling, he left everything and followed Jesus. (v.11)

From the time Jesus first began teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, Peter’s epiphany, his realization that Jesus was someone very special, began to take shape. Jesus’ fishing lesson ran counter to everything Peter knew about fishing, and the size of the catch was what Peter needed to connect the dots; Jesus was special, he taught with authority, but he was more. Jesus was God.

My Takeaway: Sometimes a personal epiphany of Jesus happens suddenly – like with Peter on the shore of the lake, or Paul on the Road to Damascus. Sometimes the process takes years, or even decades. But I am certain that God, who through His prevenient grace, began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.