Peter: Failure and the Transformation of a Fisherman's Life

Peter, one of the leaders of the twelve apostles, used to be a catcher of fish. Perhaps he never dreamed that the course of his life would change 180 degrees. That a simple fisherman like him would be made a fisher of men by God. His encounter with Jesus changed everything in Peter, his dreams, his hopes, and his life's purpose.

What can we learn from the failure that changed Peter's life (Luke 5:1-11)?

The Failure of the Professional Fisherman

He saw two boats at the water's edge. The fishermen had gotten out and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then He sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. – Luke 5:2-3

That day was a bad day for Simon. His hard work all night produced no result (Luke 5:5). As a professional fisherman, he knew very well the best times and weather to get the biggest catch. He had worked with the best nets and a sturdy boat. He had also memorized the spots most favored by fish. 

Hopeless, frustrated, and unable to make sense of his failure, Simon and his brother Andrew finally came ashore. They were washing their nets when Jesus came and borrowed their boat to teach the crowds (Luke 5:2-3).

When Jesus asked him to put out from shore, Simon did it at once. For Simon, it was an honor for Jesus to borrow his boat.

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Has something you fought so hard for failed to give results that match the effort? You have struggled hard to maintain a relationship with someone you love, but it still fell apart. You have tried every effort to meet your needs, but your financial condition has not improved. You have studied with all your might, yet your exam results are still only so-so.

When the best effort you can give still produces no result, what is your reaction? Do you complain, give up, and grumble, "It's useless, it ends in failure again. This only adds to the long list of failures in my life."

Just like us, Simon also experienced failure. Yet when Jesus came to borrow his boat, he gave the right response, which was to do what He asked.

When you fail, let Jesus enter your life through that failure. Do not do the opposite—draw away from God, do not believe God's promises, and lose faith. Through failure, we gain valuable lessons. When you fail, that is the time to let Jesus come and take control.

Obedience Produces Results

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but because You say so, I will let down the nets." – Luke 5:4-5 

When Jesus told him to let down the nets, Simon could have said that he was tired, wanting to rest after working hard all night. He could also have laughed at Jesus and said, "You are only a carpenter's son! How could a carpenter teach an experienced fisherman like me how to catch fish?"

Instead of arguing and making excuses, Simon chose to obey Jesus' direction. And his obedience did not betray him.

And when they had done so, they caught a great number of fish, so that their nets began to tear. – Luke 5:6 

A miracle happened when Simon obeyed! When your life feels heavy, your problems remain unsolved, and the suffering you endure feels suffocating, that does not mean there is no solution. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5 

The failure Peter experienced actually made him a different person later on. God used failure to shape Peter according to His design, as a fisher of men (Luke 5:10).

Sometimes failure brings us to our need for God. Without failure, we might become proud, hard-hearted, and feel that we do not need God. Let us accept and even enjoy the failures in your life, because they are part of God's way of shaping you.

The Turning Point of Failure

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said: "Lord, go away from me, because I am a sinful man." – Luke 5:8 

The miracle Jesus performed amazed Peter so deeply that he fell down at His feet. He realized that he was nobody before God, but only a sinner. "I do not deserve to receive this," he said. This is too good to be true!

Yet that event became the turning point in Peter's life.

Jesus said to Simon: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men." – Luke 5:10b 

In the following verse, we see how Peter finally left everything to follow Jesus.

Why was Peter willing to make such a great decision? Because Peter believed that if God was able to perform a miracle to meet his needs, He would also be able to sustain his life. He was convinced that Jesus was able to give whatever he needed. 

Not only Peter, but his fellow fishermen, James and John, were also amazed to see that event. And, like Peter, they were not satisfied merely to witness it. They wanted to have a deeper fellowship with Jesus.

What about you? Have you made the many problems, pressures, and complicated troubles of life into an opportunity for Jesus to enter your life? Do you remain obedient when Jesus wants you to endure, keep pressing on, and not lose heart? Or do you give up and lose hope? 

Find the turning point in your life, and you will receive a life different from anything you could dream of, a life with Jesus. Do not be moved only by God's help and goodness, but make that moment the turning point of your life. Follow God's way, His plan, and His methods, and you will receive the hidden blessing that He has prepared! 

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Failure does not have to be bad news. Failure can make us better people. Through failed efforts, God can work powerfully in our lives. So, are you willing to let God enter your life, remain obedient even when His commands sometimes do not make sense, and be changed according to His design?

God bless us all!

Related Articles:

• Offer Your "Five Loaves and Two Fish," and See the Result!
• Rise from Failure with God
• Growing Through Failure
• Christian Faith: Faith to Walk on Water

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