FY 19
February 19
Luke 5:1-11. The miraculous catch of fish.
As these disciples had toiled all night and had caught nothing, it is probable they were in need of food when Jesus bid them launch into the deep. Was it only to supply their temporal wants that He caused them to enclose so large a multitude of fish? No! for though he delighted in relieving their bodies, he delighted more in helping their souls. By this wonderful catch of fish, he taught them many great truths—he taught them something of the greatness of his power; he taught them something of the blessedness of obedience . Peter had said, "At your word I will let down the net." How richly was his obedience rewarded! The apostles were to become fishers of men. Who could enable them to catch men, that is, to convert souls? None but Jesus. Though ministers preach—until God pours down his Spirit, no souls are converted; yet ministers, like Peter, should be obedient, and continue patiently to let down the net of the Gospel.
And should ministers only act thus? All Christians ought to exhort each other daily, and their common conversation should minister grace to the hearers. We ought to distribute tracts and Bibles, to teach children, to contribute our property to the support of missionaries, and to do whatever we can to benefit the souls of our fellow-creatures; yet our exertions will be vain, unless God adds his blessing . Let us then entreat God to put forth his great power and to prosper the feeble efforts which we make in obedience to his command.
The remembrance of this miracle should encourage us; and still more the remembrance of the sermon Peter afterwards preached, recorded in Acts 2, when three thousand were converted. Probably there were not three thousand fish in the net. Lately God has done wonders in America, and in India, and in the islands of the South Seas; thousands have been converted. We must pray for the outpouring of the Spirit, and then sinners will be awakened, and will cry out earnestly, "What shall we do to be saved?"
What do you think of Peter's prayer after the miracle? "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." It was a good prayer, and yet it was a mistaken prayer. It was a good prayer, because it contained confession of sin. Peter was overwhelmed with a sense of his unworthiness; (that is the right spirit in which to make a prayer;) his heart was broken and contrite.
Perhaps he had indulged unbelieving, murmuring thoughts when toiling all night without success, and now he was overcome by the mercies of the Lord. This is true repentance—when we are grieved the more for our sins, on account of the Lord's goodness to us. Would not a person feel cut to the heart who had been suspecting another, and speaking against him; if suddenly he discovered that the man whom he counted an enemy had labored to serve him, and contrived schemes for his good. The discovery would fill him with remorse; he never could forgive himself for his ungenerous suspicions. Thus, "The goodness of God leads us to repentance." It leads us to feel our unworthiness and ingratitude.
But why did Peter desire so gracious a Lord to depart from him? Jesus knew the spirit in which he made this prayer, and he would not take him at his word. Though Peter said, "Depart from me," Jesus knew he sincerely loved him.
When the wicked say to God, "Depart from me, for I desire not the knowledge of your ways," He often takes them at their word; but He does not deal thus with the trembling penitent, but receives him in his arms, and bids him abide with him forever. "Fear not," answers the blessed Savior, "from henceforth you shall catch men." Instead of departing from Peter, the Lord never permitted Peter to depart from him.