You have spent ten to twelve hours dragging your bell shaped nets across the bottom of lake Gennesaret.  Many times pulling them up and finding them empty. Physically tired, emotionally disappointed, and frustrated that you caught nothing, you wash your nets, so you can go home, get something to eat and go to bed.

While you are washing your nets, Jesus whom you don’t know personally, but whom you no doubt would have heard about, gets into one of your boats.  While sitting in your boat he teaches the crowd, as well as yourself, about the truths of God.

You are now ready to go home.  The nets are all cleaned and stowed away when Jesus says,

What do you think you would do?

Would you say, "Yes, sir! Right away sir!"

Would you respond as you do, when after a long day at school, and several hours of post school activities, you come home and Mom says, "Before you do anything I want you to to take out the garbage and clean you room."

Would you answer as Simon did,

I would hope, at the very least you would do the latter.

Simon didn’t quite agree with Jesus.  It is safe to say that Simon was somewhat reluctant to do what Jesus asked.  Yet after voicing his disagreement with Jesus, Simon obeyed.  He did what Jesus told him to do.

There will be times in your life, when God’s Word and Spirit will be telling you to do something.  That something may not be something you want to do, or choose to do.

There will be times in your life, when you will think that you don’t need Jesus.  Simon could have easily said to Jesus.  "Look, I am the fisherman here.  I won’t tell you what to teach the people about God.  Don’t you tell me about fishing."

At those times, remember this story.  How Jesus said,

Remember that they caught so many fish the nets were beginning to break.  Remember Simon’s response of humility,

Simon was awe struck to think that Jesus not only cared about healing the sick and casting out demons, but also cared about his day to day routine and understood his needs.  God is interested in not only saving you, but also in helping you in your daily activities.

Simon’s response was to fall to his knees and say,

"Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"

Your vows of confirmation parallel Simon’s response.  Like Simon you acknowledged your sinfulness and you acknowledged Jesus as Lord.

This story is Simon’s confirmation story.  He began a new life, a life of following Jesus. What will your confirmation do for you?

God desires for YOU, nothing less than what He desired of Simon.  Confirmation is more than just acknowledging Jesus as Savior.  It means you are devoting your future to Jesus. It means more than being a Christian.  It means making a commitment to live a Godly life.  By your vows today you have promised not just to be hearers of the Word of God, but to be doers of the Word of God.

amen