Full-Bloom Repentance

One of the miracles in Luke’s gospel, the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5:1 – 11 and the calling of Simon Peter, teaches an important lesson on repentance. There were three different occasions that Jesus invited Peter to follow Him. The first is recorded in John 1:40 – 42, when Andrew went and found Simon, his brother, and brought him to Christ. The second time is recorded in Matthew 4:18 – 22, and Mark 1:16 – 20, when Jesus found them repairing their nets and told them that He would make them fishers of men. And then the third time in Luke 5.

Some may wonder if this is one event told in three different versions, which could cause some doubt as to which is the more accurate account. But in reality, the calling of Peter to change his plans and direction in life was more like with us, gradual and over time. We want the events of the Bible to fit neatly into a chronological and systematic order, which would make it much easier to study. But life does not work out that way and it is not the way that God works in your life either. Like Peter, we all have the tendency to go back and forth, and like Peter, Jesus keeps on coming after us! He will not leave us alone!

The third calling of Peter in Luke 5 is seen in the context of the miraculous catch of fish for a particular purpose and teaching. Jesus was teaching on the shore but the crowd was pressing in, hungry to hear God’s word. He saw two empty boats because, “…the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.” 5:2. Jesus got in Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the land so He could keep teaching.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5:4. Simon’s response reveals a full-bloom repentance. He said, “Master, we have toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 5:5.

Repentance begins as a response to God’s word and His desire for your life. Repentance begins to take shape as you confess your inability to do what God desires for your life, and confidence in God’s word for His desire for your life. After God speaks His desire, and you respond with a lack of faith in your own ability, and faith in His, according to His word, God goes to work, according to His word, and repentance takes another step toward being in full-bloom.

The next few verses describe the work of God in Simon’s life. Their nets were let down and drawn in, filled with fish, according to God’s word, so much that both boats were almost sinking with the blessing. What happened next is instructive, “But when Simon saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Repentance is expressed in light of this miracle as Simon realizes that he is in the presence of God, because only God can do what Simon just saw.

Jesus’ response develops the beauty of repentance even more when He said, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 5:10. The Lord Jesus would depart from the shore, but not without Simon. He invited Simon to go with Him, again, in a new direction and activity for his life, which Simon obeyed, bringing forth the fruit of repentance.

Now repentance is seen for the beautiful thing that it is; the full-bloom and fruit of a complete change of direction, following Jesus, according to His word. Until full-bloom repentance develops, the fruit of repentance cannot develop, and the miracle is incomplete, for it is only God that can bring about a new direction and activity for your life, and He will not do that without you! And He only does His work according to His word, in you, with you, and through you, for His own glory and pleasure.

Full bloom repentance, which leads to the fruit of repentance, looks good, smells good, and tastes good to God, and this is what it means to worship the Father in spirit and truth.