"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11

(4) And when he left off speaking, he said unto Simon, `Put back to the deep, and let down your nets for a draught;' (5) and Simon answering said to him, `Master, through the whole night, having laboured, we have taken nothing, but at thy saying I will let down the net.' (6) And having done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net was breaking, (7) and they beckoned to the partners, who `are' in the other boat, having come, to help them; and they came, and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking. (8) And Simon Peter having seen, fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, `Depart from me, because I am a sinful man, O lord;' (9) for astonishment seized him, and all those with him, at the draught of the fishes that they took, (10) and in like manner also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon; and Jesus said unto Simon, `Fear not, henceforth thou shalt be catching men;' (11) and they, having brought the boats upon the land, having left all, did follow him.


Jesus takes the opportunity of this miracle to call His disciples into a Teacher - student relationship with Him. He figuratively catches Peter in His net before commanding him to "catch men" for the Kingdom of God. Immediately, Peter, Andrew, James, and John leave their boats and nets behind and follow Him. They now understand that Jesus is more than capable of supplying their every need.

We are to apply this lesson in our own lives. When Christ speaks, it is always about obedience to God's way of life. In this case, His teaching affected the disciples' livelihoods. Worship and work form major parts of our lives, too, and in both we must consistently maintain righteousness.

Had Peter failed to obey Christ's command, he would have failed to experience both the miracle and the resulting blessing. No one serves God without being compensated for his service. When we serve, sacrifice, testify, or stand for Him, He will suitably reward our efforts. When God asks us to invest our time, effort, talent, or anything else, we must not resent the opportunity. No one pays dividends on an investment as abundantly as God does - "good measure, pressed down, and running over will be put into your bosom" (Luke 6:38).

— Martin G. Collins

To learn more, see:
The Miracles of Jesus Christ: The Great Catch of Fish



 

Topics:

Blessing

Blessings

Disciple

Disciples, Making

Disciples, Role of

Disciples, The

Discipleship

Discipleship, Cost of

Dragging imagery

Fish as Metaphor

Fishers of Men

Jesus Christ's Miracles

Miracles

Miracles and Faith

Miracles of Jesus Christ

Obedience

Obeying

Sacrifice

Sacrificial Attitude

Sacrificial Giving




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