Peter's bonus catch

by Lyman Ritchie

Fishing had been Peter's business, probably from childhood. He had apparently been reasonably successful at it. An experienced fisherman, Peter thought his knowledge of fishing superior to that of Christ's, who had been a carpenter. But in confidence based on what he had seen Jesus do of recent times, Peter and his companions complied with Jesus' advice.

Conscious of his fruitless efforts the night before, he was doubtless somewhat downhearted. Nevertheless, the discouraging experience of the previous night was about to be followed by conclusive evidence that would prove Christ's divinity to Peter, the fisherman:

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.' Simon answered, ‘Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break" (Luke 5:4-6*).

There are times when God may interfere with our plans and efforts in order to make the need to cooperate with Him more apparent and meaningful. Efforts put forth in our own strength sometimes prove completely fruitless, because the desired results can be secured only through cooperation with Him.

Earlier, the disciples had been unable to catch anything; now they were cooperating with Jesus and their success exceeded their fondest expectations. Those who would be successful "fishers of men" must learn that without Christ, they can do nothing. When divine power is combined with human effort, particularly in the work of fishing for people, results can be effective and permanent.

Peter thought he knew the habits of the fish of Galilee but even the fish of his own lake were apparently subject to Jesus. Now he himself was ready to obey the summons of the Master Fisherman. Peter, Andrew, James and John were caught alive in the "net" of the Master Fisherman.

Centuries earlier, the prophet Jeremiah wrote "‘But now I will send for many fishermen,' declares the Lord, ‘and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and from the crevices of the rocks'" (Jeremiah 16:16).

All their lives Peter, Andrew, James and John had caught fish, which had died as a result of capture; from now on, they would catch men "that they might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). At the moment of their greatest success, they paradoxically abandoned all to follow Jesus. Unhesitatingly, they dissolved their successful partnership as fishermen for a partnership with Jesus as "fishers of men." They had launched out into the deep as fishermen. Now, they were prepared to launch out by faith in the service of Christ.

They were ready to follow Jesus-not because their physical labour had not been successful but because of their profound conviction that Jesus was the Son of God. They were just humble and unlearned men but when they came after their period of training, they were changed. Now others-even their enemies-"took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).

Our heavenly Father alone sees what He can make of men. A glorious future awaits all who commit their lives to serve Christ.

Addressing His disciples, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:28, 29).

* Bible quotations are from the New International Version.

Lyman Ritchie is a retired pastor, who writes from Echuca, Victoria.

This has been a feature from Record, July 25, 2009

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