Feb 20 - Lenten Devotional

"But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8)

Peter here participates in what I'm starting to call the "great misunderstanding of discipleship". Peter imagines he isn't good enough to be a disciple.... or not worthy... or not lovable... or not skilled... or not ready...

It doesn't really matter which of these he means, or which of these we might choose in our own lives - they are all versions of the same idea: that the calling to discipleship has prerequisites - and that we must "measure up" to some ideal.

But a disciple - by virtue of the name itself - is one who is learning. A disciple is not the teacher, has not arrived at a destination or standard, is not an "expert" of anything (if there even is such a thing). Peter isn't called to be a "righteous man". Peter is called to be a disciple... is called to follow Christ... is called to willingness to follow and be formed by a teacher - THE teacher.

Jesus' response to Peter is to tell him not to be afraid. Jesus sees in Peter's denial a fear that he cannot live up to the task... and likely a bit of fear about what this following will ask of him to risk in his life. But Jesus isn't "biting". There is no skill set that gets one "into discipleship". There is no measuring stick of giftedness. By virtue of being called to follow we are disciples - and the only prerequisite is our willingness to walk the journey with Jesus.
That is all we need... all God wants: the willingness to follow.

In every story of calling the only thing that emerges as a necessary characteristic to follow Jesus is the willingness to dare - to risk - to follow. The willingness to "not be afraid"... or at the least not be so afraid that we return to our homes muttering about "that crazy teacher" or "our own unworthiness". (However I do imagine we all do quite a bit of that muttering ON THE JOURNEY too... but such things are expected - so long the fear they inspire does not overcome our following!!)

We are God's beloved. God's steadfast love has named and claimed us.
We are, and will be, adequate to the task... we are ready... we are worthy.
For God has called us, Jesus is leading us - we are disciples on a journey.


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Calling God,
You have formed us in the womb,
You have loved us,
You journeyed to us,
you have called us...

Guide us now to overcome our fear,
help us to follow you,
form us in the journey of discipleship
that our lives may point others
to your love.
Amen.