The Jesus Podcast: "Purpose – The Calling of Peter"

Host: Zach (Pray.com)
Date: October 12, 2025
Episode Theme: Discovering Purpose and Identity in the Calling of Simon Peter

Episode Overview

This episode launches a miniseries on twenty life-changing encounters with Jesus, focusing on Simon Peter’s calling from weary, unsuccessful fisherman to foundational disciple. Through vivid storytelling and theological reflection, the podcast illustrates how Jesus transforms our sense of purpose and identity, especially when we feel aimless or unworthy. Listeners are invited to see their own struggles, doubts, and hopes mirrored in Simon’s story and are encouraged to embrace surrender, obedience, and new beginnings as integral to a life following Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Storyline

1. Opening Reflection: Struggle & Surrender

• [00:01] Narrator opens with a prayer centered on surrendering to God's purpose despite feelings of weakness or unworthiness.
  • Quote: “We confess that we often feel weak and undeserving of the calling you’ve set before us. But we declare that it’s not who we were that matters, but who we will become and who you will make us into.” (Narrator, 00:01)

2. Simon Peter’s Crisis of Identity

• [02:10] Simon Peter is introduced disheartened, worn out after another fruitless night of fishing.
  • Quote: “Another night. No fish.” (Simon Peter, 02:10)
• [02:46] Simon feels “worthless," embodying the burdens of failure and inadequacy.
  • Simon’s daily grind and perceived failures feed his resentment and apathy.
• [04:38] Host Zach introduces the deeper theme: How easily our identity becomes tied to circumstances, jobs, or relationships.
  • Quote: “For many of us, our sense of identity ebbs and flows with the various seasons of life... But what if our identity could be much more stable?” (Zach, 04:38)
• Simon’s growing frustration is contrasted with Andrew’s enthusiasm for spiritual renewal, catalyzed by hearing John the Baptist speak of the coming Messiah.
  • Quote: “Maybe we’re meant to do something else.” (Andrew, 08:10)
  • Quote: “Don’t start that again, Andrew. I’ve heard enough about your locust-eating friend with the loud voice.” (Simon Peter, 08:13)

3. Encounter with Jesus: The Miracle & The Call

• [12:09] Jesus approaches and asks to use Simon’s boat to teach the crowd.
  • Quote: “Shalom, friends. My name is Jesus. Would I be able to use your boat for a few minutes?” (Jesus, 12:53)
• Simon, weary and doubtful, reluctantly agrees to Jesus' instruction to cast the nets again.
  • Quote: “Rabbi, with all due respect, we’ve been fishing all night and caught nothing… Nevertheless, at your word, I’ll try again.” (Simon Peter, 14:09 & 14:37)
• A miraculous catch ensues, nearly sinking two boats with the sheer volume of fish.
  • Quote: “Pull! Pull the nets… If we don’t haul this in soon, they’re going to break!” (Simon Peter, 15:34, 15:43)
  • Joy and astonishment sweep over the exhausted fishermen.
• Simon’s laughter quickly gives way to a powerful sense of unworthiness in the presence of Jesus.
  • Quote: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” (Simon Peter, 18:23)
• Jesus answers with compassion, not rebuke, offering a new identity and mission.
  • Quote: “Follow me, Simon. Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” (Jesus, 19:02)
• Simon’s inner turmoil and doubt are silenced, replaced by the dawning of his true purpose.
  • Quote: “Fishing had been a trade, but it was never who he was. Jesus saw the man behind the nets and the wounded soul underneath that rugged veneer.” (Narrator, 20:14)

4. Theological Insights and Modern Application

• [21:47] Zach analyzes the story’s implications, drawing from Matthew 4 and Galatians 2:20.
• Jesus' ministry is described as a revolution—not of politics or violence, but of inner transformation and radical, stable identity rooted in God.
  • Quote: “The Jesus revolution was a radical transformation of how we view God, his kingdom, this world, and even ourselves.” (Zach, 21:47)
• Zach warns against centering one’s identity on status, profession, or relationships alone:
  • Quote: “Centering our identities on something like a profession or relationship or a hobby is shaky footing and shaky ground. Things change, but the Lord remains the same forever.” (Zach, 23:30)
• Simon’s “faithless faithfulness” is highlighted; sometimes a reluctant first step is all God requires to open new possibilities.
  • Quote: “There’s something honest about this entire interaction that Peter has with Jesus. He isn’t sure what Jesus is up to, but he obeys nonetheless. You see, God can do a lot with that attitude.” (Zach, 25:07)
• Application to listeners: God’s plan unfolds as we surrender and follow, even in uncertainty.
  • Quote: “You’re not supposed to know every single detail of God’s plan. If you knew... you would just be looking for shortcuts along the way. Jesus doesn’t want to just show you the end goal… He wants to take you along a journey and a process.” (Zach, 27:32)
• The episode closes by affirming that transformation is about steady faith and willingness, not perfection:
  • Quote: “A life of faith is not marked by perfection, but by consistency. Receive God’s mercies that are new every morning and take that step of faith today. Failure isn’t the end of faith, it’s part of the process.” (Zach, 29:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s not who we were that matters, but who we will become and who you will make us into.” (Narrator, 00:01)
• “If I can’t fish, then who am I?” (Simon Peter, 11:06)
• “Follow me, Simon. Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” (Jesus, 19:02)
• “Faithless faithfulness is what I like to call it... He isn’t sure what Jesus is up to, but he obeys nonetheless. You see, God can do a lot with that attitude.” (Zach, 25:07)
• “A life of faith is not marked by perfection, but by consistency... Failure isn’t the end of faith, it’s part of the process.” (Zach, 29:38)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:01 – 02:48: Opening prayer, atmosphere, Simon’s crisis begins
• 04:38 – 06:57: Host Zach introduces series theme; focus on identity
• 07:10 – 12:16: Simon and Andrew’s struggle, conversation about spiritual purpose
• 12:53 – 14:42: Jesus’ request, Simon’s reluctant obedience
• 14:42 – 16:27: The miraculous catch and its impact
• 17:18 – 19:10: Simon’s confession, Jesus’ compassionate call
• 21:47 – 27:32: Theological breakdown; dangers and possibilities of making identity in Christ
• 29:38 – 30:48: Final takeaways on the process of faith, consistency, and surrender

Episode Takeaways

• Identity is Found in Christ, Not Circumstance: Our worth and purpose are defined by Jesus’ call, not our professions or failures.
• Miracles Begin with Obedience—even Reluctant: Simon’s “faithless faithfulness” shows God can use even hesitant obedience.
• Jesus Calls the Overlooked: Those who feel like failures or outcasts are often nearest to Jesus’ heart and His plans.
• Transformation is a Journey, Not an Instant: Jesus invites us into a process of becoming, not just a new role or status.
• Faith is Marked by Surrender and Consistency: Perfection is not required—willingness and reliability are.

This episode artfully reimagines Simon Peter’s calling, making it both a vivid biblical story and an invitation for modern listeners to rediscover purpose and identity in Christ, no matter their background or failures.