Costly Choices

Telemarketer. Door-to-door salesman. Janitor. United States Marine. Before becoming famous, actor Adam Driver held a number of jobs. Oh well, everybody needs their stepping stones—how weird or unfit they may seem. Same goes for Simon Peter. Who would figure that before he became a disciple, he was a fisherman with bills to pay, a family to support, and very little to fall back on.

The Bible doesn’t describe his business ethics, but his own words—upon meeting Jesus—say more than enough: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”. When confronted with divine presence, Simon Peter’s first response isn’t awe—it’s moral panic. He knows he’s been cutting corners—like most of us, right?

The Chosen grippingly depicts how people like Simon Peter (and perhaps… you and me), in the thick of things sometimes make desperate decisions. Simon Peter’s secret deal with Roman officials turns out for the worst and while this story isn’t in the Bible, it reflects the kind of costly choices that real people—like us—make under pressure.

Take King Saul, for instance. Under pressure from threatening Philistine armies and impatient people, he makes an unlawful sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel. He acts from fear, not faith—and is confronted by God for it. Like Simon Peter, Saul doesn’t just break a rule—he reveals a heart unwilling to trust in God’s provision.

How often do we do the same? The first step toward transformation is recognizing the lines we’ve blurred—and the grace that still needs to meet us there. There’ a famous saying that there is no sinner without a future and no saint without a past. Hence, Simon Peter. And you. And I.

As Jesus steps in Simon Peter’s boat, he doesn’t bring up Simon Peter’s past of poor fishing results. Instead: he gives him the haul of a lifetime—with the promise of even more: “You’ll be a fisher of man!” So, will you let Jesus come aboard your life’s boat?

P.S. Are you enjoying this journey with Simon Peter? Your own character might even resemble his. Care to find out? Take our The Chosen 'Test of Character' and journey for a while with the character you have the most in common with.