Luke 5:1-111And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were 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. 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:1‑11)
After Jesus taught the people in the towns, many were eager to hear more, and followed Him as He walked to other places. One day they came along the shore of the lake and there were two fishing boats, not being used, as the men were washing their nets.
Jesus stepped into one boat, which belonged to Simon Peter and asked him to push it a little way into the water, and He taught the people from there, so all could hear.
It is not here told what He then said, but of a great miracle afterward, He said to Simon.
“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draft.”
A draught meant what we might call a “haul”, or a “catch.” Simon answered,
“Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing, nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.”
The net was let down, then those men who had worked all night and caught no fish, had a very great surprise; so many fish came into the net that it broke, and they called for the other men to come with their boat to help, and they filled both boats with fish. The boats began to sink with the weight, but they brought them to the land.
Some have thought that because it is a lake of many fish, that the net happened to take in what is called a “school” of fish. But Simon who knew the waters well, knew it was a miracle, he knew that the fish had come by the word of the Lord, the same as by His word He had cured disease and done other wonders. The other men, who also were fishermen, knew it was a niir acie, and were greatly astonished.
The net was not strong enough to hold, but the supply Of God was most abundant; if Simon had better followed Jesus’s words, “Let down your nets.” instead of only one net, perhaps no net would have broken, at least, the Lord did not fail His part in giving.
Simon at once realized that the One who could bring those fish into the net was far greater than a teacher, or “Master,” as he called Him; he knew He was the Lord from Heaven.
Do you know what Simon then thought about? His sins, He may not have been what we might call a great sinner, but he at once felt that he was not fit to be near this mighty Holy One He fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
He knew he deserved the Lord should go from him, yet he wanted to be near, and seemed to feel that He would show him mercy. And notice the kind answer of Jesus,
“Fear not.”
Then Jesus told him, “From henceforth thou shalt catch men.” We know Jesus meant by that, for Simon to tell others of Him.
We will feel as Simon Peter did about our sins, when we realize in our hearts that the Lord Jesus is the Mighty Holy One, whose word has such power. We must confess Him our Lord, as Simon did, to know His answer, “Fear not.”
ML 12/31/1944