Always Watching

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.” (Joh 21:7 AV)

It’s amazing what we will do when we think God is not looking.  Peter, fishing in an appearance that was normal for fishermen, knew it as no inappropriate.  When the LORD shows up, he girts himself with his garment and jumps into the water.  He is completely embarrassed because he allowed liberty where liberty was no longer allowed.  For a bit of an understanding, the Bible doesn’t use the word naked or nakedness the same way we use it today.  When we use the term, generally speaking, we mean without any cloths at all.  However, the Bible uses the term to mean lack of appropriate clothing in any form.  For instance, showing the body above the thigh would be considered a nakedness.  Someone does not need to be completely nude to fulfill the biblical definition of nakedness.  So, more than likely, Peter was fishing with nothing more than a loin cloth about his midsection.  What we would refer to today as a bathing suit.  It is interesting that what we consider appropriate today would not be if Jesus were here.  But that is the point, isn’t it? 

As a child, we were always aware of where our parent’s eyes were cast.  We were always aware to that which our teacher’s attention was focused.  When cruising the mall, we were keenly aware of the attention a clerk might pay, where the mall cops were at any one time, and the prying eyes of watchful adults were worth our notice.  Why?  Because we might want to get away with something.  We were aware of the risk involved.  If there was no one to notice, we may take a few liberties.  These liberties may not be all that serious.  It may be they are only a breach of etiquette.  If no one was looking, what difference did it make?  Have you ever gone shopping and noticed an item on the shelf which clearly doesn’t belong there?  Maybe a pair of socks right next to the peaches.  Someone picked it up, decided against purchasing it, and rather than return it to where it belongs, places it on a shelf.  The funny thing is (and I have witnessed this more than once with a family member who will remain anonymous), they look around to see if anyone is watching before the violate ethical standards.  No, they are not breaking the law.  No, there is no store policy that requires a shopper to return merchandise he or she no longer wants.  As long as no one is watching, who is going to know?

Peter may not have been clearly violating a biblical principle.  He was out to sea where only his fishing mates could see him.  It was customary to fish in this manner.  The problem is, God is there, too.  It may be just fine to be half dressed in front of your fishing pals.  But in front of the LORD, it is not.  What alarms me is how quickly we forget that God is always watching.  What alarms me is my eyes of faith are too quick to forget that God is ever present with me and He sees all that I do, think, or feel.  When we do realize that God’s eyes are in all places, we are caught and feel ashamed.  If we would simply realize that everything matters to God and He is always there, it may help to discipline what we would otherwise let fall.  Did it matter how Peter was dressed?  Not to his buddies.  But it obviously matters to Jesus or Peter would not have gone for a fully-clothed swim.