Chosen to Be a Miracle! Advent Plan Based on “The Chosen"Sample

Day 3: Cast your nets

I've been stubborn all my life—I have to admit it. My temper has gotten me into trouble more than once, and I haven't always made the best decisions.

Before I met Jesus, my faith was at its lowest point. I suppose that after waiting so long and fervently for the Messiah, I was losing hope and drifting further and further from my faith. 

I gambled, fought for money, and even went fishing on Shabbat! I was in a totally desperate situation, my debts were massive, and I didn't know what to do.

I remember that night when I left to do the only thing I knew: fishing. I was hoping to get a good catch so that I could at least pay off some of my debt and avoid jail. But that night I caught nothing.

My brother Andrew and Zebedee's sons also came with me, but despite their help, we couldn't catch a single fish. I could not go on any longer. I was exhausted, desperate, overwhelmed, and at the end of my strength...

Everything changed, however, when I reached the shore. It was there that I saw Him for the first time. Jesus was teaching a crowd on the beach, and He asked me if He could use my boat as a platform. I have to say it was the last thing I wanted to do under the circumstances. But my brother Andrew wouldn't stop telling me about this man, and there was something special about the look in His eyes that caught my attention. So I agreed.

Jesus began to preach, and His words were not like those of other teachers: His words had authority. When He finished teaching, He looked at me and said, "Put that [net] down for a catch." I argued with Him a little, told Him our story...but since He said to do it, I decided to listen to Him. That's when the impossible happened: in a matter of seconds, an explosion of fish filled our nets, to the point that we needed help to haul them all into the boat.

I had just witnessed a huge miracle! Filled with the fear of God, I knelt before Jesus and said, "'Depart from me. I am a sinful man. You don't know who I am or the things I've done.'" (adapted from Luke 5:8, NKJV), but He asked me to follow Him!

Not only had I been freed from my debts: the Messiah I so longed for had found me.

My name is Simon Peter, son of Jonah, and I have been chosen by Jesus.

P.S. Dear friend, perhaps your character or bad decisions have gotten you into a difficult situation, and that's extinguishing your desire to do anything...even to celebrate Christmas! But today, Jesus has the power to transform your situation and open up pathways where it seems impossible. Come into His presence today, and cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV).

You are Chosen to be a Miracle!
Christian Misch