These are the first and the last words of Simon Peter in Scripture. It has been said that he was the best fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. True or not, his experience let him down this time. He had expected empty nets and was astonished when a very full one exploded from the water (v. 9). With the help of others he got the haul home, but humanly speaking it was “touch and go.” There was no question, of course, of his boat sinking with Jesus on board, but he sank at His knees saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord” (v. 8).

Peter’s confliction was real: my Lord is so great, I cannot live without Him; I am so sinful, He must leave me. But the Lord Jesus resolved it for Him: “Fear not; henceforth thou shalt be catching men” (v. 10). In other words: I am not leaving you; you are coming with Me to catch men, not fish.

Though it was feebly obeyed, the Lord’s word had brought an abundance of fish from the fishless sea. So too it transformed Peter into a follower of Him. He not only left his boat on the shore but left the boat on the sea.

Peter had much to learn and unlearn. He had many a fall, but the Lord was true to His promise (Heb. 13:5). In his darkest hour when he denied his Lord, he was in the gain of His words: “I have besought for thee that thy faith fail not; and thou, when once thou hast been restored, confirm thy brethren” (Lk. 22:32). This is exactly what he does in his two epistles, exhorting the saints to “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”