1 1-3 Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.
4 When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”
5-7 Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.
10-11 Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.
Jesus did miracles in Peter's life, which were not manipulated by Peter himself. Rather, Jesus intervened in Peter's life - Jesus climbed into Peter's boat; Jesus invited Peter to join in his preaching ministry through using his boat as a pulpit; Jesus knew about Peter's frustration of catching no fish after fishing hard all night. Most importantly, Jesus stretched Peter's faith by demanding Peter to push his boat out into deep water in order to let his nets out for a catch. Jesus demanded Peter's absolute obedience in Jesus' words and Peter followed. The miracle happened through submitting to Jesus' command and awe overwhelmed Peter and people around him. The occurrence of this miracle transformed Peter, enlightening Peter's eyes to see his sinfulness and Jesus' holiness. Jesus received the glory and people, like Peter, James and John, were transformed as well and became disciples of Jesus.
My Lord Jesus, may the love of heavenly Father to you also be in me that I love you and become more passionate for your glory. I desire to see the glory of your Gospel and your mighty work that awe overwhelms my life. Give me faith to follow your command in my life and help me to follow. Stretch my faith and lead me to push my life out into deep water. Jesus is faithful and loving - "there is nothing to fear."
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