He was annoyed and quite perturbed.  Put out, I think.

He’d been fishing with his crew all night and caught nothing–zip.

I know the attitude that comes home on my man, who fishes for sport, when he has no catch. I can just imagine the effect on a man who fishes for his livelihood.

In my mind, I can see the shoreline of Lake Gennesaret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, and the boats.

There were a number of people walking the shoreline, with Jesus, that morning.

So many that he could not see them, individually, and they could not see him.

It’s just like Jesus to want to see each one of them.  It’s just like him to want to look into their eyes.

As Simon, who would soon be renamed Peter, began to dock his fishless, fishing boat, Jesus hollered over and asked Peter to take his boat back into the water, just far enough away from the shore,that Jesus could see the people and close enough that the people could see and hear him.

Simon Peter did what Jesus asked but I think he had some attitude going on.       And I think he held on to that attitude.  Nurtured it, you might say.

I think he stewed about his life the whole time that Jesus was speaking.

I think Simon Peter was so absorbed by his disappointment, that he didn’t hear one bit of what Jesus said, nor did he care.

General snarkiness, I think.   This I can relate to.

I think that when Jesus finished speaking to the crowd, he turned to Simon Peter and said, “Hey! Push out into deep water and let your nets out! Let’s get a catch for ya, before we go in!”

I think that the snarky, Simon Peter said, “Um. Jesus,we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow!” I think his tone said, “Oh, so now you’re a fisherman?             “I thought you were a carpenter!”

Maybe Jesus raised one eyebrow right then…

Because Simon Peter quickly added,  “Nevertheless, if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.”  Still with a little attitude, I think.

And it was no sooner said and it was done—a huge haul of fish; so many that the weight threatened to break the nets.  Peter filled both boats with fish.

In my mind, I can see Simon Peter.  Recovering from the rush of adrenaline, fish still flopping at his feet, I think he was stunned.

I think that vivid images of another day, and another miracle; when Jesus had come to Simon Peter’s house in Capernaum and healed his wife’s mother, who was sick with a fever, flooded Peter’s mind.

I think he was amazed at how easily he had moved on from the awe and wonder he had known that day.

I think he was terrified that he was capable of the off-handed way he spoke to the Christ that day; as if Jesus was a common man.

I think his thoughts and his heart were racing.

Yeshua. Snarky. Son of God. Attitude. Messiah. Oh. God. Yahweh.

I am a wretched man.  Don’t even look at me.   I am not worthy.

Luke 5 vs.9-10 “For he was gripped with bewildering amazement [allied to terror] and he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

And Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Be not afraid!  From now on, you will be a fisher of men!”

I think Jesus smiled. And maybe winked.

I think his tone said,

“I know you feel miserable but don’t get stuck there.”

“Look me in the eye, Peter.”

“Look me in the eye and let me pull you out.”

“Look me in the eye and know who I am.“

Isn’t that just like Jesus?

And isn’t Peter just like me.

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