Simon recognizes the honour and the gift that Jesus gives him, and he responds. Even with the boats full of valuable fish...even with the temptation of hanging around long enough to cash in...Simon leaves the boats on the beach and walks straight to Jesus. Simon recognizes the gift that Jesus gives him, and he responds by becoming a catcher of people – a willing witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Simon responds by following Jesus...by fulfilling his role as a partner in Jesus' ministry. Simon responds...because Simon recognizes the gift.
Are we willing to respond to Jesus? Is there something we need to leave behind on the beach, to follow Jesus? Can we walk away from the prosperity Jesus has given us, if that's the direction Jesus is heading? Can we leave our stubbornness behind on the beach, and quit claiming that we are not worthy or qualified to be Jesus' witness? Can we ditch our pride, and tell others about the beautiful gifts we've been given, at the risk of some worldly person scorning us? Can we break the habit of pleasure, which Satan uses to mask the trail of Jesus? We can leave it behind on the beach IF....we recognize the gift.
The world is telling our children and youth that Jesus' gift is worthless. The media is portraying those who receive Jesus' gift as fools or bigots or worse. North America is full of people who say they know Jesus, but DO NOT RESPOND, even to the extent of regularly spending one hour with friendly Christians in worship...even to the completely fear-free extent of introducing Jesus to their own children and grandchildren.
We who DO respond, do so because we recognize the gift that Jesus has given us. We DO share it with our youth, with the people around us, with each other – because a gift this beautiful needs to be available to everyone. We DO attempt to follow where Jesus leads, because we trust our partner in ministry, and we count on him to guide us to the places where our efforts will have greatest effect. We DO respond....because the gift is a CALL....even as the call is a GIFT.
Gracious God, hammer into us through your Holy Spirit, how great a gift you have given us in Jesus Christ. And give us the wisdom to leave behind whatever is holding us back from responding to that gift, in Jesus' name, amen.