"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) Now when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let your nets down for a haul." (5) Then Simon answered and said, "Master, we have labored through the entire night, and we have taken nothing; but at Your word, I will let the net down." (6) And when they did this, they enclosed a great school of fish; and their net was breaking. (7) Then they signaled to their partners, those in the other ship, that they should come and help them; and they came and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (8) And when he saw this, Simon Peter fell at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord." (9) For great astonishment came upon him and all those with him, on account of the miraculous haul of fish that they had taken; (10) And in like manner also upon James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Fear not; from this time forth you shall be catching men." (11) And after bringing the ships to land, they forsook everything and followed Him.

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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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