They enclosed a great multitude of fishes. And their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners who were in the other ship to come and help them, and they came, and filled both the ships, so that they were sinking. But Simon Peter, seeing it, fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord … And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; henceforth thou shalt be catching men. Luke 5:6–8, 10 JND
What does catching fish have to do with catching people? This miracle shows that, despite our shortcomings, Christ wants to use believers to “catch” people—to draw them to be saved. The fact that He uses failing people makes the miracle even more amazing. In the Lord’s “gospel enterprise” we are placed under His direction, at His disposal, and the believers are to help each other as co-workers, partners, and co-disciples.
This miracle made Peter also aware of his lack of faith, of his sinfulness—perhaps stubbornness, selfishness, or hardness of heart. All such things must be judged in the Lord’s presence. And so the miraculous catch caused Peter to fall down at the knees of the Lord Jesus, as he was drawn to Him in a way that he could not resist. Now he was ready to submit himself to Christ and cast himself entirely on Him. Are we ready to do so?
The Lord knew what was in Peter’s heart and so He did not do what Peter asked, “Depart from me.” Instead, the Lord said, “Fear not!” Later, the Lord could use him for another service: catching people. In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter brought three thousand souls into the net of the gospel!
Toil on, and in thy toil rejoice;
For toil comes rest, for exile home;
Soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom’s voice,
At daybreak cry “Arise and Come!”