All men hunger for the Spirit of God’s word and salvation. Every body thirsts for the remission of his sins in his innermost being. So open your mouth and preach grace. Depict Christ before the eyes of your friends and colleagues, for they are craving for Paradise, even if they pretended to the contrary. Every man craves in his heart for the house of his heavenly Father.
The multitudes raced toward Christ, and pressed upon him. He was crowded, and in danger of being crowded into the water: What must he do? He got into one of the boats that belonged to Simon, and asked Simon with all lowliness and gentleness to help him in his preaching, that he would thrust out a little from the multitudes so that everyone might see and hear him. He sat down as the divine Teacher who teaches ignorant men how to enter into the kingdom of God through conversion, and tuning their hearts to the power of eternal love. The great multitudes sat down on the shore of the lake, listening silently to this unique voice. Nothing could be heard but the words of Jesus and the whispers of the waves.
When Jesus had stopped speaking, he commanded Peter to fish. It was daytime, when all the fish went down to the cooler waters deep in the lake. Though Peter was most impressed with Jesus’ sermon, and called Jesus "Master", his experience, as a fisherman, made him quite sure that they would catch nothing. He showed discomfort, for he had toiled all the night, and had taken nothing. Nevertheless he was ready to believe the Master’s word even in matters in which Jesus would not naturally be considered an expert. For the sake of Christ’s demand, he was prepared to do anything, even though he understood no meaning to, even though his partners would laugh at him. However, Christ was willing to break his servant in his experience, and show him that his professional skill is useless to him in the kingdom of God where the laws and powers of the Holy Spirit apply.
Today, Christ is calling people to run into the depth of the sea of mankind, and let down in it the net of the word of God, probably at a time that seems completely inconvenient. But Christ sees the hidden developments in the depths of peoples. Listen to Christ’s command, and pay attention to one thing: Be cautious to let down the whole net of the word of God, and not only a part of it, also be careful that your net should not have holes in belief, in order that the fish should not flee from it. Clean your net and get ready for fishing.
The disciples obeyed Christ’s command. In this obedience of faith, we find a reason for God’s triumph. If Peter had not obeyed Christ’s word, he would have not become his disciple. Now, Jesus’ will has pushed a great multitude of fish into the net of the experienced fisherman that his net was about to break. Dear brother: Today is the day of fishing in our nation. Today the great number of fish is running toward the word of God. Where are you now to win a great number of your friends, through your testimony, words, and messages? Obey Christ with lowliness. Be encouraged, listening to the guidance of the Savior, and then you will draw many to his light, so that they may enter into eternal life, from death in darkness. Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Peter was not stubborn and greedy, but divided the fish among them all, and advised his partners to cooperate. This is the duty of believers today: not only to fill their own boat, but also the others’ boats. Do not become sad if a member of your church entered into another church, for Christ will give you many new members, if you spread the fullness of the word of God clearly.
In this fishing, Peter realized that Jesus is God. He probably prayed during the night, and sang hymns with his co-workers, asking God to fill their nets. But when they had taken nothing, they complained and blasphemed. But now Jesus has answered their prayers in another way greater than they had thought. Peter became ashamed of his unbelief, complaint, obstinacy, and blaspheming. He fell down at the Son of God’s knees, trembling, and confessing his sins, for the Holy Spirit uncovered his corruption and malice by revealing Christ as the All-Ruling, who controls the fish in the depths of the sea, and sees the secrets of the hearts. Peter did not give thanks for the given fish, but was ashamed of his wicked heart. Does the grace of God shake in your life? For he blessed you when you deserved afflictions, and granted you grace when you were to die because of your crime.
Jesus thrust the fear of the selfish Peter, commanded him to be converted, so that he might not think of himself anymore, and called him to serve God, and to serve people as well. In his brokenness, Peter became prepared to enter into the kingdom of God. In this way the Son of God calls you to die to your selfish interests, and turn to your fellow human being to fish him, not with artifice and deception, but with lowliness and love, so that he may not die on the shore, but enter into the fullness of God’s power and life. In truth, every man is dead in trespasses, but whoever enters into the net of the word of God lives.
Peter and his co-workers heard Christ’s decisive call, and they were prepared in their hearts by virtue of the John the Baptist’s preaching. At the moment of getting a lot of fish, they left all their riches, and chose the way of Christ’s poorness and persecution with him, to make their fellow human beings partners in the glory of the Son of God. Christ called you to his service. Then pray, and obey all his commands.