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Behavioral experts tell us that when we encounter someone new, first impressions are made within the first three seconds. In that short time, even before you have spoken, someone has already formed an opinion about you based on your clothes, body language, mannerisms, or even fashion accessories like your watch or purse. Right or wrong, that first impression is often a lasting one, and very difficult to change—all the more reason, say employment counselors, to make sure that your first impression is your best impression.
This month we will be studying the epistles of the apostle Simon Peter, but today we get the opportunity to form a first impression about our author. Luke 5 records Peter's call to apostleship. What do we learn about the man Simon?
First, we discover that he was a trusting man. Although Simon had just spent a long, fruitless night fishing on the lake, and was packing away his nets, Jesus told Simon to push out to deeper water and try again. Peter could have easily refused this request as naïve nonsense. Instead, Peter displayed an incredible amount of trust in this new teacher, and did as He requested.
Next, we also discover that Simon was a humble man. After the catch of fish—complete with tearing nets and sinking boats—Peter recognized that he was in the presence of holiness. Falling at Jesus' knees, Peter urged Him, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man” (v. 8). His astonishment led to recognition, and his recognition led to humility.
Finally, we discover that Simon was a wholly obedient man. When Jesus responded that “from now on you will catch men” (v. 10), Scripture tells us that Peter, along with the other disciples, “pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him” (v. 11). This is no half-hearted gesture, but a full commitment. In this entire passage, we see no pride or pretense in Simon, only a trusting, humble, and wholly obedient man, leaving all to follow his new master.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Simon Peter clearly displays admirable characteristics worthy of imitation. If people were to make first impressions of you, what do you think they would say? Do you display the heart of a trusting, humble, obedient follower of Christ, or someone full of suspicion, pride, and self-assertion? Pray to God for the honesty to look into your own heart, asking Him to help you respond to His Word this month with the same response we see in Peter.
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