When God Showed Up For Peter

When God Showed Up For Peter

Text: Luke 5:1–11

Peter thought it was just another workday. He had fished all night and caught nothing. He was tired. Frustrated with washing empty nets.

And then Jesus shows up.

Jesus tells him to push out and let down the nets again. Peter hesitates. He’s the professional. Jesus is a carpenter.

But he obeys.

And suddenly … the nets are breaking. Boats are sinking. Fish are everywhere.

It’s a miracle. But Peter doesn’t celebrate. He falls at Jesus’ knees and says:

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

The miracle exposed him.

This is the same pattern we saw with Isaiah. When God shows up, we don’t feel spiritual — we feel small. Peter doesn’t say, “Thank you for choosing me.” He says, “Please leave.

Holiness has a way of shining a spotlight on everything we try to hide. The closer Peter gets to Jesus, The more aware he becomes of his sin. Peter sees himself clearly because he finally sees Jesus clearly.

But here’s the best part: God doesn’t stop there. Jesus doesn’t leave. Instead, He says:

“Do not fear.”

Grace follows revelation. Jesus doesn’t deny Peter’s sin — He just refuses to be driven away by it. Then He adds:

“From now on you will catch men.”

When Peter finally says,“I’m unworthy”, Jesus says, “You’re called.” God exposes, then restores. Conviction isn’t the end — it’s the beginning.

We all have moments when God’s presence makes us painfully aware of who we really are.

Pride collapses.

Excuses disappear.

Masks fall off.

But hear this: God does not expose to reject. He exposes to redeem.

He shows us our sin so He can show us His grace. When God shows up, He reveals who we are … but He doesn’t stop there.

He calls us.

He cleanses us.

He commissions us.

Just like Peter and just like Isaiah. You think that’s amazing? Wait until you see that same pattern in Paul, tomorrow, and where that will take us in this journey of discovering God through His encounters in the Bible.