Read Luke 5:1-11

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 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 people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

Big Idea: Lordship changes everything.

In chapter 4, Peter witnessed Jesus heal his mother-in-law’s fever. We read that Jesus had been teaching, healing, and casting demons out of many. So Peter had an understanding that Jesus had authority. So it was highly appropriate in Luke 5:5 for Peter to refer to Jesus as “Master.” This word in the Greek is “Epistata” and it means just that- one with authority, master, or teacher. It’s a term of great respect, denoting the position the person has in comparison to those around.

But after Peter sees the boat overflowing with fish, something shifts inside of him. He calls Jesus “Lord” or “Kyrie.” This word holds significant weight and was reserved only for the divine, sovereign God. It means “owner or divine ruler.” In simpler terms, it means “master over me.”

When Peter saw the fish, He saw the truth. That Jesus wasn’t just a wise teacher or prophet. He saw Jesus as sovereign God, and that revelation brought Peter to his knees.

His response is extremely fitting here. We see this exact same response in Isaiah 6 when the prophet Isaiah sees the Lord. Both Peter and Isaiah, when face-to-face with the holy God, respond with a recognition of their sin and and understanding that they were undeserving to be in His presence. They saw themselves in comparison to the majesty that stood before them, and it caused them to shrink back, like a young child who feels the weight of their disobedient choices. And in both Luke 5 and Isaiah 6, we see God respond by bringing peace and purpose.

You see- all of us, when we meet Jesus, respond in this way. You can attend church for a long time and believe Jesus is a great teacher, healer, and man sent by God. But when you meet Him face-to-face, everything forever changes. When you see your sin that nailed Him to the cross and your freedom that placed Him in the tomb, you become overwhelmed and shrink back in confession. It instantly drives you appropriately to your knees in acknowledgement, repentance, and surrender to Him as Lord. And from this, you find peace. From this moment on, you are forever changed. He is Lord, so your life becomes a reflection of this reality. Forever after, He is “master over me” and each day you seek to live a God-centered life under His Lordship.

Takeaway Verse:

Song For Today:

Looking For More?

Devotions4Teens Videos: The Gospel- 3 Minute Presentation, Salvation in Jesus, I Want to See, Sneaky Sin, Thirsting For God

Similar Devotions: It’s Personal,  It’s Personal 2, Not a Typo, One Way, God With Us, The Perfect Sacrifice, Leave the Pigs, Why Am I Here?, The Restless Heart, The Great Exchange, Law Breaker