Purpose: The Calling of Peter

Summary

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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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Narrator]

And he saith unto them, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Dear Lord, thank you for calling each and every one of us to a life of purpose, mission and fulfillment. 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. You will make us great. You will equip us for the challenges ahead. If we are faithful to surrender to you, you will put our hearts, heads and hands to use for your kingdom. So today we declare surrender to you. Use us, Lord, for your glory and your good. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, dramatic stories from the Gospel told in new and exciting ways. Keep listening to hear the gospel inspired story of Simon and how Jesus brought meaning to his life. If this podcast has brought value to your faith, we'd love it if you left a review and shared it with a friend. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world because when Jesus story is told, lives are transformed Gulls flew overhead as the sun crested gently above the horizon. The water was painted in light, shimmering with bright orange and pink. Simon rode his boat, cutting through the glassy, incandescent water. He was numb to the beauty of the morning. All he could think about was his failure.

[Simon Peter]

Nother night. No fish, he grumbled.

[Narrator]

He and his brother Andrew had been up all night casting their nets for fish, but the sea yielded nothing. In the deeper parts of Simon's mind, he wondered if God was playing games with him. He rode in frustration until the boat finally made it to the shore. Simon leaned his forehead against the mast and sighed.

[Simon Peter]

Worthless.

[Narrator]

Simon resigned himself to a life of toil and aimlessness. Little did he know his destiny was walking toward him just a few paces up the shore.

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[Zach (Podcast Host)]

Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror long enough to have that mini existential moment where you think, who am I really? For many of us, our sense of identity ebbs and flows with the various seasons of life. As we grow and change with our surroundings, our interests change, our priorities shift, our relationships begin and then end. When our circumstances and relationships are put under strain, it can be easy to lose sense of who we are. In the midst of it all, it's very easy to feel out of control. But what if our identity could be much more stable? Paul writes in Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live. But Christ lives in me, the life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me. It's incredible what we'll discover when we answer Jesus call to follow him. As we learn about him, we find that we have much to learn about ourselves too. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com and I'm excited to be with you today as we begin a new study through 20 unique encounters Jesus had in his earthly ministry. These people all have different stories, struggles and shortcomings, but what isn't unique about each of these individuals is what society labeled them as outcasts. Make sure to follow this podcast as we explore the transformative depths of God's love made available to everyone. In our first story of this miniseries, we'll be introduced to a man named Simon, but you may know him as Peter. On the surface, Simon was a meager fisherman simply looking to make ends meet. But underneath it all, the weight of life's struggles eat away at his sense of purpose. With each passing day. The lull of repetition and failure alongside the doubts of being able to provide for his family brings a mixture of apathy and discontentment in Simon's life. Without thought, Simon allows the internal war of finding his own identity to spill out into resentment towards his brother, who seems to be finding purpose beyond life of the Sea of Galilee. In a moment of what some might call coincidence, he meets Jesus, the promised Lamb of God. Though he may not have known it at the time, his initial encounter with Jesus would change the trajectory of his life forever. Join me as we discover Peter's story and learn that our true identities can't be manufactured in and of ourselves, but can only be found by following Jesus.

[Narrator]

Simon leaned his forehead against the mast. The boat bobbed up and down, slowly lulling him to sleep. He groaned, knocked his head over and over again on the wood.

[Simon Peter]

All night, Andrew. All night. We're fishermen, and it's been weeks since we've even smelt a fish.

[Narrator]

Simon threw himself face first into a pile of nets and moaned to his brother. They had toiled all night to no avail. Their nets were empty, just like their pockets.

[Simon Peter]

If we don't haul in a catch soon, the tax collectors will come knocking on my door and take my wife's earrings right off her ears. What are we going to do?

[Narrator]

Perhaps we shouldn't be fishermen, andrew said with a shrug. He threw the anchor off the boat and tightened the rope, securing it close to shore.

[Andrew]

Maybe we're meant to do something else.

[Simon Peter]

Don't start that again, Andrew. I've heard enough about your locust eating friend. With the loud voice.

[Narrator]

Simon was referring to John, baptize her. Andrew had been following his teachings for quite some time. Andrew couldn't stop talking about him. Andrew came to work every day, endlessly preaching about repentance, the coming of the Messiah, and making way for revolution. It all annoyed Simon to no end. If he were being honest. Simon was irritated that his brother had found some purpose beyond the monotony of fishing. Not that he didn't find fishing in itself a worthwhile profession. Perhaps Simon would have found more fulfillment in fishing if he had been better at it. Yet each day was a struggle. Simon continually found himself in a maddening search circle, toiling all night, casting nets, pulling them back to find nothing, and casting them out again. Mornings were spent cleaning the empty nets. Then he would sleep to repeat the process.

[Andrew]

You're missing out on something groundbreaking, andrew.

[Narrator]

Preached to his brother.

[Andrew]

Just the other day John was baptizing when all of a sudden a man from Nazareth stopped him in his tracks. John told us that he was the Lamb of God, whatever that means. John was in near tears at the sight of him.

[Simon Peter]

A random man from Nazareth, you say? Oh yes. Sounds groundbreaking.

[Narrator]

Simon replied with a sarcastic smile. He threw his nets onto the sand and pulled his hair back.

[Simon Peter]

Let's clean these nets and get out of here. I'm hungry and I need a bath.

[Narrator]

Simon began tending to the nets. His neck ached and his eyes were weary from a night that seemed to drag on forever. Simon's thoughts bounced from self loathing to prideful denial of his failure. He ran the nets through a bucket of fresh water. Then he sat down and methodically untangled each thread. Another boat paddled up on the right side. It was James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They had fished all night as well and caught nothing. Simon gave them a resigned wave and gestured to his empty nest. Simon wasn't the only one who hadn't been having any luck with fish.

[Simon Peter]

If I can't fish, then who am I?

[Narrator]

His words were soft and unheard by the rest. Simon had a knot in his chest, a tension of identity. He had failed at the only thing he had been asked to do his entire life. If Simon couldn't fish, he couldn't pay off his debt to the tax collectors. If he couldn't fish, he couldn't provide for his wife and sick mother in law. Creases of disappointment etched the sides of his eyes as Simon worked the nets. Just as he was about to finish, a small crowd walked down the beach. They were all following a man. He was of average height and wore craftsman's garments. However, there was a rabbinical sash around his shoulders. Clearly this man was some sort of teacher.

[Andrew]

Simon. That's him. That's the man I was telling you about. The one John said was the Lamb of God.

[Narrator]

Simon rolled his eyes and groaned. The man was approaching with a couple of dozen people behind him. Joyful clamors followed him and smiles shone brightly on their faces. Simon didn't care. He wanted to lay down and sleep before facing his wife and telling her once again he'd failed to catch anything. Simon folded the last net and began walking away. Before he could take two steps, the man called out to him.

[Andrew]

Shalom, friends. My name is Jesus. Would I be able to use your boat for a few minutes? The crowd will be able to hear me much better if I was up there.

[Narrator]

The stranger's voice was Kind but firm. Andrew perked up when he spoke, but Simon was still ambivalent.

[Simon Peter]

Rabbi, we've been fishing all night. We would much rather.

[Andrew]

Of course you can.

[Narrator]

Andrew interrupted with childlike glee. Simon turned to Andrew and gave him a glare that only an older brother could give. Simon groaned again and nodded for Jesus to climb aboard. Jesus steadied his feet and began preaching to the crowd. Everyone was transfixed by his words, including Andrew. Simon barely listened, dozing off as he leaned his head back against the nets. Just as Simon felt perfectly comfortable, Jesus turned to him and said, let's go.

[Andrew]

Out into the deep and let out your nets for a catch.

[Narrator]

Simon rolled his neck back and leaned forward.

[Simon Peter]

Rabbi, with all due respect, we've been fishing all night and caught nothing. There's nothing out there for us today.

[Narrator]

Simon looked down at the water. It reflected his disappointment right back at him. Then he looked at Jesus. There was an earnestness about him that somehow made Simon relate.

[Simon Peter]

Nevertheless, at your word, I'll try again.

[Narrator]

Simon had faithless faithfulness. He didn't believe anything would happen, but wasn't about to argue with Jesus. The two brothers rowed the boat out a dozen yards. The water was glassy and still. With a reluctant sigh, Simon cast out the net. He sat down and waited. A few moments passed, and Simon looked at Jesus with a raised eyebrow, as if to say, told you so. But just then, Simon heard the sound of tightening ropes. The nets became taut, and the boat leaned over. Simon and Andrew tumbled to the side and looked at the water. It was bubbling with activity.

[Simon Peter]

Pull. Pull the nets.

[Narrator]

Simon and Andrew heaved, but the nets were too heavy for them.

[Simon Peter]

If we don't hold this in soon, they're going to break.

[Narrator]

They waved to James and John to come over and help. They paddled swiftly to help haul in the massive catch.

[Simon Peter]

Almost there. Just a few more bushes.

[Narrator]

Simon's arms felt tighter than the nets, and his hands burned under the moving rope. Jesus joined in and grabbed the edge of the net. With one final pull, they brought the catch into the boat. Fish scattered throughout the deck, so much so that the ship began to sink.

[Simon Peter]

Bring it in. Bring it in.

[Narrator]

Simon yelled with nervous laughter. James and John loaded fish over onto their boat to keep Simons from sinking. They reached the shore and leaped with unhindered joy, hugging each other and laughing uncontrollably. Standing in the background of laughter and pats on the back was Jesus. He leaned against the mast of Simon's boat with a satisfied grin. Simon held his head and laughed, but his laughter slowly turned upside down and he was overcome with grief. He looked to Jesus and shook his head.

[Simon Peter]

Who are you?

[Narrator]

He whispered, but the answer was clear. He was exactly who Andrew said he was. He was the Lamb of God, the hope of Israel, the Messiah. With a quivering lip and furled brow, Simon fell to his knees. He knew this was a miracle. Simon knew that Jesus was the reason he had caught such an enormous catch. He felt unworthy of such a gesture. He felt the sting of an undeserved blessing. Who was he to receive such a gift? Who was he to be in the presence of someone so powerful and holy? Simon could barely look Jesus in the eye. With a shameful glance upward, he whimpered, depart from me.

[Simon Peter]

Not depart from me, for I am a sinful man.

[Narrator]

Simon was shaking with shame. His heart ached from years of anger, sin and self doubt. Jesus, with compassionate eyes and a warm.

[Andrew]

Heart, said, you are fearful, Simon. I understand.

[Narrator]

Jesus leaned down to Simon and placed a hand on his shoulder. He met Simon at eye level, gazing into his soul and all the insecurities that had plagued him.

[Andrew]

Follow me, Simon. Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.

[Narrator]

Simon looked Jesus in the eyes. They were glassy and still, like water. Only they didn't reflect his insecurity. Instead, Simon saw glimpses of his destiny. The aimlessness and self doubt weighing him down had sunk to the bottom of the sea. Simon stood up and left the fish to rot in the nets. He didn't need them anymore. 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. Simon was a boisterous, fighty and fragile sinner indeed. But it doesn't matter who you are before Jesus calls you. What matters is who you become once you begin to follow Him.

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[Zach (Podcast Host)]

In Matthew 4 we enter into some of the earliest moments of Jesus public ministry. Having spent the majority of his life as a humble carpenter in the lackluster city of Nazareth, he Jesus is quickly gaining traction among the local community. It's no wonder why this might be According to Matthew 7. The crowds were amazed at his teachings because he taught as one who had authority, while many of the other rabbis and teachers of the time would just recycle truths that they heard from one another. Jesus had original thoughts. And they weren't just original thoughts. They were scandalous. But they also cut straight to the heart in a way that they had never heard before. People were awakening to Jesus words and his ministry. The message of the coming kingdom of God that Jesus shared was profound. It offered a deeper look into the human soul than the vapid and repetitive teachings of his contemporaries. But Jesus offered more than in depth teachings. He was paving the way for a revolution. And it wasn't a revolution of politics, coups or violence. Nor was he making a bid to the throne and ascend to political power. The Jesus revolution was a radical transformation of how we view God, his kingdom, this world, and even ourselves, if we allow it. As we saw in today's story, Jesus spoke to the masses but deliberately ministered to individuals. Individuals like Simon. Individuals who were on the fringes and felt forgotten or perhaps ineffectual in their lives. Individuals who identified as failures and outcasts. Even individuals who had no sense of identity at all. These were the ones Jesus personally called to follow him because he knew they were blank canvases to create masterpieces on where others see failure, Jesus sees opportunity. Where some see success, Jesus sees pride. Jesus doesn't look at the world through our lens of success and failure. He looks deeper and into eternity, seeing beyond the accolades and straight into the heart. When people have A self determined mission or sense of identity. They are often hesitant to relinquish control. The danger of finding purpose and identity within ourselves is that as quickly as we can build ourselves up, we can be torn down. Maybe you lose your job, mourn the loss of a loved one, or struggle in a relationship. With each of these blows to the ego. Our identity wavers until it's bound to crumble. You see, centering our identities on something like a profession or a relationship or a hobby is shaky footing and shaky ground. Things change, but the Lord remains the same forever. We need a stronger foundation for our identities. So how might we have a deeper sense of identity? Well, like Simon, it begins with looking to Jesus. Think about the difference between the moment of looking at yourself in the mirror and the moment Simon gazed into the eyes of the Messiah. How quickly we can go from pondering who am I? To seeing everything we can be through Jesus Christ. You see, knowing God gives us a greater understanding of ourselves. When we look at ourselves through God's eyes, our purpose becomes much more clear. When we anchor our identities in Christ, we feel less anxious and out of control. Who God is and what he has called us to do is a far more firm and steady base to build our identities upon. He is not a God who looks down on us with disdain or frustration for our failures. He is a loving Father who looks at us with compassion and calls us to be his children. When we submit ourselves to following Jesus, we are welcomed into his loving arms, the starting point of understanding who we really are meant to be. As Peter contemplates the bleak night of fishing, he finds himself mulling over his purpose and his identity. Since he attached his purpose to his profession, he inevitably associated himself as a failure because he was failing to catch fish. And so hard set in his ways he was that he turned a deaf ear to his brother, who spoke of possible hope and finding more in life than just fishing. Simon's ambivalence towards his brother's message is a warning for all of us. It demonstrates that ambivalence towards Jesus can hinder, if not prevent, our ability to admire Him. Don't be too quick to dismiss others when they want to share what God is doing in their lives. You may think, oh yeah, I've heard it, I've heard it, I've heard it. You don't need to tell me about it. I've been to church, I've heard the messages. Stop preaching to me. But hold on. Maybe someone is getting a glimpse into God's character that you have yet to peer into. Maybe someone has found purpose and joy worth sharing to you. Andrew had a testimony to share, but Simon was too agitated and consumed with himself to listen. He needed to wake up to what was happening. It wasn't until Simon appreciated the significant role Jesus could play in his life that he turned his heart towards adoration. And all it took was a simple act of obedience. You see, at first Simon was ambivalent about Jesus, but I love how he still had the attitude of, well, nevertheless, let's do it. Sometimes that's all it takes. Faithless faithfulness is what I like to call it. 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. He can do a lot with our willingness to obey him, even when we're irritated, doubtful, tired, and aren't sure what's going to come of it. So even in reluctance, Peter's faithless faithfulness to obey the instruction of Jesus was gave him the opportunity to witness a mere glimpse of his power. And if Jesus can fill Peter's empty nets, maybe he could fill his empty hearts if given the chance. Surely, if this stranger from Nazareth seemed to work with a greater purpose, even this lowly fisherman from Galilee could too. We can trust that God has a special plan for each of our lives. While we may not know every single detail of that plan, we can be sure that our purpose of following Jesus, being made more like him and glorifying him along the way, will never change. And all it takes is our willingness to follow him with humble hearts of service and gratitude. Perhaps the plan isn't exactly what we expect or even what we initially hoped for, but we can rest assured that God is in perfect control with each step. May we all experience the glorious intersection of God's grace and our efforts. We can cling tightly to the fact that there is a greater good God wants to accomplish in and through us, while holding loosely to what that looks like. Precisely. You see, you're not supposed to know every single detail of God's plan. If you knew all of God's plan mapped out from beginning to end, you would just be looking for shortcuts along the way. Jesus doesn't want to just show you the end goal of what you're going to be. He wants you to follow Him. He wants to take you along a journey and a process. It doesn't take great skill, eloquence, or charisma. It takes willing hearts and hands. In our story, we also met some fellow fishermen, one of them by the name of John. This man would also become one of Jesus closest disciples and a prolific leader in the early church. Eventually he would write These words in 1 John 3, 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has yet to appear. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is. We don't know the specifics of how God will uniquely work in our individual lives, but each of us, from the most socially accepted to the furthest outcast, has been given a purpose and a promise of being made like Jesus if we pursue Him. What a glorious purpose that is. A purpose that compels us onward. Our last point here is that it might seem daunting to walk away from the life we know, but it's worth it. Simon and Andrew's nets were empty and they weren't very good fishermen, clearly. But at least they knew what their life looked like. At least there was a predictability, even if it was predictability and monotony. But to see a change, we have to make a change. We have to stop looking inward to find purpose and identity and begin to look to Jesus. We have to change our perception of what is possible and believe that our God is a God of miracles and our God can work miracles in our mundane and ineffectual lives. We have to look beyond the mundane to see the splendor of a life lived for and by Jesus. So I encourage you to allow Jesus into your life and leave now nothing hidden from Him. The more you give him, the more he will change you. God doesn't want to improve you. He wants to give you an entirely new life. And maybe, like Simon, we're not perfect. But a life of faith is not marked by perfection, but by consistency. Receive God's mercy 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. So follow Jesus and you might just be surprised at what you'll find if you decide to give him your all. In our next story, we're going to meet another one of Jesus 12 disciples. This man is often unseen and unheralded in scripture, but we want to give him some light. It's a man named Nathanael. Thanks for joining us for the Jesus podcast. If you haven't yet followed, make sure to do so. That way you never have to miss an episode and it helps us to get seen by more people. Thanks for making the mission possible. We love that you're here and we love that you continue this journey with us.

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

Have you ever heard a story so unbelievable it just had to be true? Roofman is the jaw dropping new film about Jeffrey Manchester, played by Channing Tatum, a man who becomes infamous for breaking into over 40 McDonald's through the roof, then secretly living inside of Toys R Us for six months. With humor, suspense and heart, Roofman is a cat and mouse story that will keep you hooked until the very end. Don't miss Roofman. Only in theaters October 10th.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway this fall. Take care of the little ones in the family with Baby Club Savings now through November 4th. Spend $25 on select Baby Club products and save $5. Shop for items like Pedias Shore bottles, Pedialyte powder packs, Huggies baby wipes, Huggies diapers, Gerber Puffs and Gerber pouches. And save $5 when you buy $25 or more on participating products. Offer ends November 4th. Ref restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Zach (Podcast Host)]

Limu Cable and Doug Here we have.

[Narrator]

The Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating.

[Andrew]

It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Zach (Podcast Host)]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Narrator]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Zach (Podcast Host)]

Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Very unwritten by.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates.

[Zach (Podcast Host)]

Excludes Massachusetts.

[iHeart Advertising Representative]

This is an iHeart podcast.