Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

I managed to generate an original for this morning…amidst a lot of interference…and no jog…even following another late rising. One matter causing added time and attention is a breakdown of Thano’s truck yesterday as he was returning from his GED class at Clackamas Community College. I went up to where he was disabled, pulling my flatbed trailer with the pickup truck. My little gas-engine-powered capstan rope winch did a good job of pulling his truck up the ramps and onto the trailer as slick as a whistle. After I send this, we will haul the truck to a mechanic for the repair which we believe is the replacement of a failed fuel pump.

Lots more on the list. Blessings on your list.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Just to recap this setting, Jesus had just borrowed Peter’s boat to serve as a kind of platform and buffer of space between Himself and the crowds on shore while He preached. When He ended and dismissed the crowds, He turned His attention to Peter and said, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” (5:4). Peter gives a verbal response, but allow me to read between the lines and articulate some of what Peter was likely thinking: “Good grief! This guy sure doesn’t know much about fishing. This is my profession and vocation! I wonder if he’s ever caught a fish in his life. Every experienced fisherman around these parts knows that just dropping a net into the lake in the middle of the day, especially without any chum, is an absolute waste of time and effort.” But in reluctant respect of Jesus, Peter complies. The result—he and his gang nearly sink two boats with the volume of the “miraculous” catch.

When Peter finally adds up all the parts of this equation, the sum-total leads him to no other conclusion: “I AM IN THE PRESENCE OF SOVEREIGN HOLY GOD!” Suddenly the exuberance of his fishing success is replaced by overwhelming discomfort—and his fisherman pride is replaced by self-searching humility. Surely this One Who knows how to miraculously fill nets with fish also knows me—how unholy I am on the inside—yet He blesses me with His personal attention?!?! How amazing is that?! He didn’t know what to do or what to say—but knew he had to do and say something. The best he could think of at that point in time was this: “He fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” Amazingly, Jesus did not go away—and Peter did not remain an unforgiven sinner.

Do you see any resemblance here to the famous lines of John Newton’s new-found forgiveness?—“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”