Good morning. They had worked all night. They were bone tired, weary beyond words. Not only weary of body but weary of soul. Weary because all of their efforts had not produced a single fish, and they were pros. Not the kind of professional fishermen who parade around in jackets covered with sponsors logos. No, these were the kind of professional fishermen who worked hard all night and depended on selling their catch to feed their families.
Now, after their long night of trying, they were tending to one of the final chores. They were sitting on the edge of their boats, washing their nets. When that job was done, they could go home. Once home, they would look their wives in the eye and say that they had done their best, but no, there were no fish so there was nothing to sell so there would be a day or two without much of anything to eat. To read the details, read Luke 5:1-11.
Jesus joined them in a boat and told them to take their now tended nets and cast them into the deep water. We’d have expected Peter to say “no.” What he does say is this: And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” What happened next was truly amazing. And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
Spectacular! Unbelievable! The preacher told them to cast their nets at the wrong time of day and in the wrong direction and they had the catch of a lifetime! Suddenly, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Jesus were up to their knees in flopping fish!
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” What an interesting reaction. Peter doesn’t say “thanks for the fishing tip.” Peter doesn’t ask how Jesus knew about fishing. Peter sees Jesus for who He is, the Lord, and he knows that he isn’t spiritually fit to be in His presence.
What will it take for us to see Jesus as Lord today? What must Jesus do to bring us to our knees in recognition of His glory and our need? The answer is, I think, different for each of us. But know this, Jesus will be doing whatever is needed. Today, in some way, Jesus will reveal His love and His glory. Will you be paying attention? Will you be humble enough to recognize Him? I hope the answer is “yes” and that your day will be as miraculous as is needed for you to find Him.
Vern