Peter’s Response to a Miracle

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And 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. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And 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. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And 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. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:4-11

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

After Jesus completed His teaching the people He then asked Peter to take the boat out further into the lake and then to let down the nets. Peter thought this a strange request because you don’t fish with a net in the day time because the fish can see the net and avoid it. But when He cooperated with Jesus and obeyed His instructions then they caught a great number of fish. They then called their partners and they caught so many fish that the number was almost enough to sink the two boats with the weight. When Peter realized what had happened he fell at Jesus feet and did a paradoxical thing that grateful recovering people do – he asked Jesus to leave him because he was so evil and yet hung onto Jesus by faith. Peter recognized that Jesus was Someone special because of the miracle he had just witnessed, a miracle that was special to Peter for this was his area of specialty being a fisherman. Peter recognized that no one not connected to God could do something like this. Then when they got back to the shore Jesus called them to go with Him to catch men and not fish and all of Peter’s close friends went with him. Since Jesus could take care of fish they recognized that He could take care of them as well.

Prayer for Today: God, we don’t know what to ask You for that will convince us completely that You are real and that You are interested in us. So please, as You created an event that was special for Peter, and his friends, help us as well. We ask that You will reveal Yourself to us in a way that our hearts and our minds will be convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that You are real and that You have a special plan for us. We are excited, and yet afraid of what You will do, but we ask for Your help anyway. We want a spiritual awakening as deep as what Peter had. We thank You for this gift before it happens trusting completely in You that it will happen.