1). Many of us, day-in and day-out occupy our days in the search of “Perfection.”
A). Countless men, women, and yes, even children are not satisfied with who/what
we are and seek various means to be to improve who we are, what we are and how
we are perceived by others.
B). Self-help magazines fly from the shelves as millions attempt to better themselves.
1). Diets, clothing, medical intervention, education, “makeovers,”
Cars, all in effort to be “perfect” and accepted by our peers.
II). Our Scripture this morning reveals a side of Peter that
many would identify with. “Depart from me Lord, for I am a man who has
missed the mark!”
Surely, if we were to judge Peter by his actions/inaction in the Gospels, we
would turn, beat feet and leave him in the dust!
A). Peter was not an immediate follower;
1).too busy with his business concerns. It was actually only after his brother
had made a commitment to Jesus that Peter became interested and joined the followers.
2). With Jesus, earlier in the Gospel, Peter proclaims his great faith and steps
from the boat in the face of the storm, only to quickly discover he didn’t
have his life jacket on and down he goes. Jesus reaches out and saves him.
3).
In the Garden of Gethsemane, it is Peter who breaks ranks with the others observing
Jesus “peaceful” means attacking Malachus, cutting off his ear.
4). It is Peter who boldly exclaims to the Savior: “I will never leave
you!” and yet, even after he is warned by Jesus of the time and the place
of this denial, the “cock crows” for Peter. Peter denies knowing
the Christ.
5). Even as the “Leader” of the new church, Peter all but refuses
to enter the home of Cornelius, the Greek, because Cornelius is not Kosher,
not like him!
B). If we were to judge Peter as we often judge; as we are often judged, by
our “interim” results in life’s efforts, we would have dropped
him like the proverbial “Hot Potato!”
He does not appear to make the grade; he is not working to potential. Not your
“A” student, perhaps C-.
C). It is here, on the shore, as he practices his own trade, that Peter recognizes
his own limitations in the face of Jesus instructions to caste his net in a
different direction. In the revelation of Full Nets, that, In Peter’s
mind, he senses his failure and says to Jesus: “Depart from me, for I
am a sinful man.” In essence, I a man who has “missed the mark!”
III). But Jesus is not disillusioned. Jesus does not become discouraged. Jesus does not shout out Peter’s inadequacies. Jesus does not judge Peter’s Mid-Term and apparent failures. Instead, Jesus says to him: “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men!” In other words, be faithful, be courageous, I know something about you; better days are ahead!
A). You see, the truth of the matter is that Jesus knows and believes in Peter
and us: hook, line, and sinker. He knows what we are capable of achieving, given
time.
1). Jesus is not concerned with the term “Perfection.” The Greek
word for perfection has interesting interpretation; it means: “Mature.”
Now, that is a bit different from the understanding we have. For maturity comes
with time, with practice, with failure. It is said that Babe Ruth struck out
thousands of times in search of his homerun record. Thomas A. Edison tested
hundreds; perhaps more, “elements” before settling on one that “perfected”
the light bulb.
B). In truth, Jesus is the great perfector of men! He does for us what we could
never expect to find somewhere else; gives us opportunity, gives us forgiveness,
makes us “perfect” in every good work to do his will.
C). Jesus sees us, all of us; not just the snap shot of our
today, our present. Jesus knows our lives from the beginnings of time to the
completion of the same. He knows that with his love, what we are capable of.
1). I had mentioned Peter’s reluctance to enter the home of Cornelius
because of his prejudice as God wanted. Yet, once he entered, he stayed not
just one day but 10. Peter would go on to be the architect of the early church.
Peter’s many failures, tempered with God’s love and encouragement, gave him maturity: “perfection,” and helped him make the grade.
Perhaps, instead of looking to others for affirmation in our struggles, we too,
should look, listen, and respond to God for our perfection. For you see, the
making period is not over until God says it is!