The Seventieth Sin

By Mary Vee
Matthew 18, Luke 17

Peter

View from the top of Masada
down at where the Romans camped.
Photo by Mary Vee, Masada, Israel

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus ended a time of teaching for the other disciples and me a moment ago. He'd taught what we should do if we have a disagreement with someone.

I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by forgive the person. Say I went to a person the first time he offended me and explained how I was offended, and if he then apologized, Jesus said I should forgive him. But what if the person commited the offense a second time. A third time. Or more?

So I asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Jesus said, "No, not just seven times, but seventy times seven.

"If your brother offends or sins against you, do as I have already said. Go to him in private. Talk about what happened. If he apologizes again, forgive him."

Even if it happened on the same day?

Jesus said, "If he offends or sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I am sorry, please forgive me,' then you should forgive him.

"Let me explain it this way to help you understand. The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since the man was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt."

This is the custom that we observed. So far Jesus' story made sense to me.

Jesus continued, "The servant fell on his knees before his master and begged. 'Be patient with me and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let the man go free."

I thought this was very kind of the man. Not many masters would do that.

Jesus then said, "But when the servant left his master's house, he searched for one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed the fellow servant and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

Wait a minute. This did not seem fair. 

Jesus said, "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

"But the man refused. Instead, he had the man thrown into debtor's prison until he could repay the money. 

"It so happened that some other servants saw what the man did. His cruelty upset them sorely. They went to the master and reported everything that had happened.

"The master called for the man. In anger, he said, 'You wicked servant, I canceled all your debt because you begged me to do so. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' So the master called for the guards to take the man to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay back all he owed."

Jesus said, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."


I hadn't realized the truth in forgiving someone so many times until he told me the story. While it may be difficult to forgive a person for what they do against me, I certainly don't want to anger my heavenly father. I will work to forgive every time.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Coin In the Fish's Mouth

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Sea of Galilee shore at
Capernaum. Photo by Mary Vee

I am a disciple of Jesus.

We walked with Jesus through Galilee. He led us on a route that kept us away from where the crowds typically gathered. He said He wanted to spend time teaching only us.

He stopped in a place where we could all face Him and sat on the ground. 

Jesus said, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."

He'd said a similar message to us before. We didn't understand it then. I'm sad to say that even with the time we've spent under his training, we still didn't understand the message. 

He was a leader who could save us. 

I think we all were afraid to ask him about it. Not that he would be cruel, but that he would be disappointed in us.

We walked farther, on to Capernaum where my home is, which explains why the tax collectors of the two-drachma tax came to me and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes," I answered. "He does. It will be taken care of."

When I walked into the house, Jesus spoke before I had a chance to tell him what had happened. 

"What do you think, Simon?" Jesus sometimes called me Simon. "Who do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes? From their own sons or from others?"

"From others," I answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth. There you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

I did as Jesus said. I went down to the lake and threw in my line. It didn't take more than a breath before the line jiggled. I opened the mouth of the first fish. My surprise at finding a four-drachma coin was not that I doubted Jesus' words, but because it was amazing to see God's provision. I took the coin and delivered it to the tax collectors as Jesus said.

I don't think I will ever not be amazed at miracles that Jesus does. It stirs a happy sensation that makes me want to praise Him all the more. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus' Gift To You

By Mary Vee
Mark 8, Matthew 16, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee - Israel

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I wrote last time about a huge lesson Jesus taught me. He had told me what would happen in the days ahead. I--I didn't want Him to suffer as He said he would. Without thinking, I said I wouldn't let it happen. Jesus reminded me I don't have control over such things. I also learned His suffering would result in the best gift for all mankind.

After our conversation, Jesus called the crowd standing not far away to come to Him. He said to all of us, "If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

What this meant was anyone who wanted to follow Jesus had to give up what they wanted for their life and live solely as His follower.

Jesus went on to say, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

That may have sounded complicated. But Jesus explained the meaning to us. If I had a fishing business and my goal was to become wealthy and buy everything only I wanted then I would not be a follower of Jesus. If Jesus wanted me to be a fisherman and I had a business where I followed His teachings, told others about Jesus, gave to the poor, was a good husband, and followed the other teachings of Jesus, then I would be a follower of Jesus. In both cases I would have a fishing business. One I would be a follower of Jesus. The other I wouldn't. Understand?

Jesus then said, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this sinful generation that worships other gods and not Me, the Son of Man will be ashamed of the same man when he comes in the Father's glory with the holy angels.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not die before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

It was some time later that I understood what Jesus meant by those words. The meaning was, some of us would be alive when Jesus took the punishment for our sins. He would die on the cross then rise again victorious just as Isaiah the prophet said.

Jesus spoke about the greatest gift to all mankind. Eternal life. Days ago Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son to take the punishment for our sins and whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life." 

That gift is for you.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Why Jesus Called Peter a Stumbling Block

By Mary Vee
Mark 8, Matthew 16, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee - Israel

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I walked south from Caesarea Philippi (a city north of the Sea of Galilee) with Jesus. We weren't sure where He wanted to go next. We often didn't know the destination because where we went did not matter as much as hearing what Jesus had to say. 

It was on this journey that Jesus first explained that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law. He said He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 

The news startled me. This group of religious leaders had been picking on Jesus ever since He set out to teach men and women the truth about God. They were jealous because men and women listened to Jesus. So jealous I could see them attempting such an act. Jesus didn't need to worry. The disciples and I would protect Him.

I asked to speak to Jesus privately and said, "Never, Lord!" I would not allow the religious leaders the opportunity to kill the Son of God, the Christ. A burst of energy flowed through my veins. I would fight for Him. "This will never happen to you."

Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me." 

His words shocked me. I tried to understand the meaning of His words but couldn't yet.

Jesus said, "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

I didn't. He was right. I didn't understand the things of God. It wasn't until quite sometime later that I realized I could never save Jesus from the religious leaders or anyone else who might attack Him. 

This man, the Son of God, had full control. What would happen in days to come had been in God's plan. And what Jesus would suffer was allowed by Him to save--me and everyone who would believe. Including you.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus Asked, "Who Do You Say I Am?"

By Mary Vee
Mark 8, Matthew 16, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee - Israel

I am a disciple of Jesus.

The eleven other disciples and I arrived with Jesus by boat on the northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee at a city called Bethsaida.

The people recognized Jesus as we walked into the city. Some people led a blind man by the hand to see Jesus. "Please. Please help him to see," they begged.

Jesus led the man outside the village. We disciples and the man's friends followed. He spit into his hands then rubbed the spit on the man's eyes. He gently set his hands on the man and said, "Do you see anything?"

The man looked up from the ground then left and right. "I see people. They look like trees walking around."

Jesus held his hands on the man's eyes again. He pulled them away and asked again. "Do you see anything?" 

The man opened his eyes and smiled. He looked left and right. He looked at Jesus and laughed with such joy. "I see everything clearly! I can see! I can see!"

Jesus said, "Go home and rest. Don't go into the village."

I wasn't sure why Jesus didn't want the man to not go to the village. He has said this before. When those who were healed had not listened, huge crowds came searching for Jesus. Even I could see that what they wanted was to see a show, not to listen to his teachings. 

Later when we traveled north to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked us, "Who do you say the Son of Man is?"

We said what we had heard. "Some say John the Baptist. Others say, Elijah. And still, others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"Okay. That is what they say. But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

I answered before anyone else. I had all confidence in my answer for Him. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus smiled and said, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. I tell you that you are Peter, which means rock. On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

He turned to all the other disciples with us and said, "Do not tell anyone that I am the Christ."

I knew what he meant. He said that those words should not be spoken yet. There would be a time for that message to be delivered. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Those Who Chose To Stay By Jesus' Side

By Mary Vee
John 6, Mark 7, Matthew 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum

Jesus spoke to a crowd of people a few minutes ago. When he finished teaching, many of His disciples turned their backs on him and chose not to follow his teachings any longer.

After they left, Jesus turned to the twelve of us. Andrew, James, John, Thomas, Matthew, Philip, Bartholomew, James, Thaddeus, Simeon, Judas, and myself. He asked, "You don't want to leave too, do you?"

The question sliced my heart in two. How could I ever leave Jesus? I spoke out first, it's just something I did. Sometimes my words blurted out what was in my soul. I said, "Lord, who are we to go to if we leave you? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Jesus said, "Even though I have chosen the twelve of you, one is a devil."

I didn't know which one of us He meant. Surely Jesus knew my heart and commitment to Him. What I knew was I would always follow Jesus.

The mealtime came. We disciples ate using our hands. Moving about the country as we did left us without tools to abide by the traditional hand washings. 

Some teachers and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to hear Jesus. They apparently saw us eating food with our hands. The Pharisees didn't eat unless they performed the ceremonial washing. They kept the tradition of the elders faithfully. When the Pharisees left the marketplace, they didn't eat unless they first washed. They also followed other traditions such as washing cups, pitchers, and kettles.

These Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus why He didn't require us to follow the traditions of the elders instead of allowing us to eat food with 'unclean' hands.

Jesus said, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you. He wrote: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain. Their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of God's commands and are holding tight to the traditions of men.

Jesus then said, "You have a fine way of setting aside God's commands in order to observe your own traditions. Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother.' He also said, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you tell the men they don't need to do anything for their father or mother. This is when you nullify the word of God with the traditions you have handed down. I have given you only one example of the many ways your traditions do not follow the commands of God."

With those words, Jesus finished speaking for the time.

His message was so clear to me. Follow God's commands not the traditions of the elders. His words confirmed why I would continue to follow Jesus, the Holy One of God, and his teachings.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Peter-Sometimes We Need To Be Alone

By Mary Vee
Mark 1

From Peter's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.  I am here in Capernaum with several disciples. You may know some, they are James and John the sons of Zebedee, Matthew, Mark, Luke and others.

Last time I wrote, Jesus wanted to go to my house. I was very thankful because while he was there he healed my mother-in-law. 

In my time, whole families lived under the same roof. They had different sections of the large home, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, but everyone lived in the same place. When someone married, a new wall with rooms were built on to the end. Not only is Israel a small country, but our way of life has taught us to keep families together, especially while we are ruled by other empires.

My mother-in-law was deathly ill when Jesus arrived. I didn't know she was sick, it was a fever that came on suddenly. Jesus went to her room and healed her. Right away, without needing time to rest, she got up from her sick bed and made food for us! 

We had a good time listening to Jesus talk at my home the rest of the day. When the evening came, it was after the sunset, the word had spread what Jesus had done for my mother-in-law and the man at the synagogue.

People came to our door. They brought their sick and demon-possessed family and friends. The crowd became so great, surely the entire town had gathered outside our door wanting Jesus to heal their loved one. 

And he did. He was so kind to them. Never getting angry at the huge number of people that seemed to keep coming then leave once their loved one was healed. 

Earlier that day, in the synagogue, there was a man whom a demon had possessed. The demon spoke to Jesus, actually he shouted a few words. Jesus told it to leave. This evening, no demon was allowed to speak a single word, because they knew who he was. 

The demons knew he was the Son of God yet they did not believe or have faith in Him. At that time, I didn't fully understand who Jesus was. I knew he was special. That I wanted to hear more of what he said. But in truth, I did not fully understand at that time that Jesus was and is God, the only one who could save me from eternal death.

Early the next morning, before the sun had risen I got up and noticed Jesus was not there. I walked through the city looking for him and found him by himself. He'd found a place to be alone to pray. To have time alone with His Father in Heaven.

Photo by Mary Vee
The remains of one home in Capernaum possibly Peter's
Many branches of a family shared one big dwelling.
Rooms were walled off with their own exterior entrance.

"Jesus," I said, "Everyone is looking for you."

He knew why. And if he'd come back to my home he'd be there for years, healing every person who travelled miles to see him.

"Let's go somewhere else," Jesus said. "To a nearby village, so I can preach there also." 

I began to see that his healing people was very important, but he also needed to take time to pray and teach. Like I said, the more I am with Jesus, the more I learn.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Peter-Fever Kept Her Down, But Jesus Help Her Up

By Mary Vee
Mark 1

From Peter's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.  I am here in Capernaum with several disciples. You may know some, they are James and John the sons of Zebedee, Matthew, Mark, Luke and others.

We went with Jesus to the synagogue. I told the story last time but here is a reminder, What a time! He spoke from the sacred Scriptures then forced a demon to leave a man. The whole thing caused quite a stir. As we left the synagogue, men who heard and saw Jesus that morning talked about what had happened as they walked away.  

I hadn't expected to see such a thing myself. I tell you, every minute I am with Jesus, I want to be with Him more. 

In my time, many men have risen to importance and have had a following. They inspire those who follow them to unite against the Romans to preserve our way of culture and way of life. But Jesus. He's different. What He says. What He does. His words and actions aren't about fighting the Romans. His message is more about us changing. I'm not really sure how to explain it yet. 

Photo by Mary Vee
The remains of one home in Capernaum possibly Peter's
Many branches of a family shared one big dwelling.
Rooms were walled off with their own exterior entrance.

Since my house was close by, we went there to get something to eat. 

When we arrived I saw my mother-in-law was in bed. She had a high fever and looked really ill. Her face was red from the burning heat. Her lips dry. She couldn't keep her eyes open and didn't speak. 

I gathered the disciples and Jesus away from her room and told them the news. "My mother-in-law is very ill. She has a terrible fever. I'm concerned she many not live."

"May I see her?"Jesus asked.

"Yes. Of course." I expected He would try to speak to her then console me. When someone older was this ill, there wasn't much that could be done. I showed him the way to her room. 

He walked into the room and said her name. I was surprised because I didn't remember telling Him her name. He walked to her bed and without saying a word gently reached for her hand. 

He spoke with such compassion. "Are you ready to get up?"

She smiled at him. Did you hear that? She could smile!

Happiness replaced the sickness in her eyes. She looked at him and said with a strength I didn't expect. "Yes."

Jesus helped her to sit. 

She didn't act sick any more. The red in her face had left. Her strength restored, and she could stand. She walked as though she had no illness. She looked into the front room and saw the others. "You must be hungry. I'll fix you something to eat."

Without a thought, a stumble, or a waver of her legs, she set to making a meal for all of us! 

Before she went to the food storage, she said to me, "Peter, you have been searching for the man who will save us for some time now. This man, Jesus, is the one you should listen to and follow."

Even though I was there, I'm not exactly sure what was communicated between them. But this I know, my mother-in-law was near death with fever and now she is well because of Jesus.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Peter-The Catch that Threw Me Overboard

By Mary Vee
Luke 5

From Peter's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Sea of Galilee-Where Peter lived and fished

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus and a fisherman. I had gone out fishing all night with my friends. We didn't catch a thing. That happens sometimes. It's annoying, but it happens.

My fishing partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee and I docked out boats alongside other fishermen's boats. The location was like a marketplace on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. People came first thing in the morning to buy fresh fish as it came in off the boats. It was pretty crowded.

I notice Jesus on the rocky shore. Apparently, the people who came to buy fish noticed him, too. They gathered around him as he began to speak. 

The more he spoke the more people gathered around him. 

There were two boats close together, one was mine. Jesus, seeing my boat was empty, climbed into it. He asked me to push off a little ways from shore. The crowds moved into the space where Jesus had been standing. From the boat, Jesus continued to talk to those on the shore. His voice carried really well over the water to them. 

The other men who fished with me helped steady the boat and keep it in place. Jesus sat down and continued talking to the crowd.

When He finished his talk, He turned to me and said, "Put out to the deep."

I thought, now? We'd just come in from fishing.

He said, "Put your nets down, out in the deep."

I shrugged. I said, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. The fish just aren't biting. But, because you say so,I will let down the nets."

Seriously, I didn't know what to expect. Theoretically, there shouldn't be any fish coming into the nets. Then again, Jesus was in the boat and He is the one who said to put the nets down. I'm intrigued to see what will happen.

So, I did. 

Before the nets had been in the water a minute, the nets pulled down. That only happened when fish swam into them. I was amazed. My fishing partners were amazed as well. We grabbed hard on the line, pulling up as fast as we could, barely heaving the tremendous weight into the boat at all. The netting stretched and broke in places. This was going to be a huge catch. The biggest one I've ever seen!

Just that fast.

We couldn't keep up with the weight of the fish. I was concerned too many of the lines would be broken and we'd lose the catch. Other fishermen were near by. We called to them to come help. They rowed their boats close to ours and grabbed hold of the lines, tugging with all their strength. There was so much fish we filled both of the boats. 

The weight of the fish pushed the boats lower in the water. I thought we might sink. 

Everything happened so fast. I had never seen so many fish in the boats. This was the greatest catch I had every seen. I dropped everything and went to Jesus. I fell to my knees, so overwhelmed all I could do was say, "Go away from me Lord." Ever moment I was near this man I saw he was much more than just a man. So much more. He was and is the Savior. The Christ. God's Son. "I am a sinful man!"

Oh, if only you could have seen all that fish, you'd understand how overwhelmed we were. 

Jesus said to me, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will catch men. Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men." 

It didn't take me even a second to leave everything behind, our fishing boats, our fishing business, our families and followed Jesus as our full time work. I had so much to learn. And I wanted to learn everything I could from Him.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.