The Draught of Fish

The Draught of Fish

In Luke 5:1-11, we read a thrilling account of Jesus' power over nature, and His first meeting with Peter, James and John.  The crowds are pressing in on Jesus, so He gets into Peter's boat and asks him to push out from shore, then  continues to teach from there.  After a time, He tells Peter to row out to the deep and let down his nets.  Peter and the other men had just spent the night fishing and caught nothing.  They were expert fishermen, having practiced their trade from their youth.  Peter tells Jesus the fish aren't biting, but that he'll obey Him and let down the nets anyway.  When he does, they are filled with so many fish that the nets begin to break and the catch threatens to swamp the boat!  Verse 8 reads, "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!'"  This catch was so clearly miraculous to Peter that he was overwhelmed to even be in the presence of Jesus!  

What a powerful demonstration Jesus gave to Peter!  I wonder how He summoned those fish . . . I wonder if Peter was thinking "oh brother!" in his head, letting down the nets just to humor Jesus . . . I wonder if Jesus' eyes had a twinkle in them when Peter realized the nets were full . . . SO wish I could have been there to see for myself!  And I LOVE the clear view we're given of Peter's heart for God - He recognizes Jesus as holy, and is immediately conscious of his own sinfulness in His presence.  

Here's another thought:  even though Peter was a master fisherman, Jesus was even better at it than He was!!!   No matter WHAT skills you and I possess, Jesus can do our job even better than we can!  I don't say this to intimidate, but to thrill and encourage us!  When we bring our work to Jesus and seek to do it to His glory, He will astound us with what He can accomplish through us.  

Jesus tells Peter, James and John that they will become fishers of men.  Flash forward to the days after Jesus' death and resurrection.  Peter had betrayed Jesus by denying Him, yet Jesus had mighty works He intended to accomplish through Peter.  Jesus has already appeared to the disciples, but Peter is adrift, unsure of what the future will hold . . . so he goes back to what he knows . . . fishing.  Read John 21:1-8.  Isn't that beautiful?  Jesus uses the same sign - telling them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat and filling them to overflowing with fish!  Peter jumps into the water and runs to Him - Jesus!  No matter his shame, he knows there is only one he can and must run  to - His Lord, His Savior.    Jesus restores Peter to leadership before the other disciples, and in Acts 2 and 4 we see Peter boldly proclaim the gospel, resulting in thousands coming to faith in Christ.  Just as Jesus said, Peter is now a fisher of men.

His path was not an easy one - but His path was charted by God Himself.  And even when Peter failed, God restored him and used him in mighty ways.  No matter how you have failed, your sins have not put you beyond the reach of Jesus' work on the cross.  He yearns to restore you to Himself - to proclaim before others that you are His, and He has purposes He intends to fulfill through you.  Recognize His power, your need of Him, and run to Him! 

(link to the kid's post:  http://elizabethtreger1.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-countdown-dec-11.html)