Miracle Fish

One day, Jesus steps into Simon’s (Peter’s) fishing boat, and Simon pushes it out from shore so that Jesus can teach the people. But when the teaching is done, Jesus tells Simon to take the boat deeper and put his nets out to catch fish.

Simon knows Jesus. Jesus healed his mother-in-law – perhaps a week ago, a few days ago.  He has seen Jesus’ authority.

But this is different. His response is grudging. You can hear the professional fisherman voice: “We’ve been at it all night. There are no fish here.”

But Simon actually does what Jesus says. He pushes the boat out – and wham! So many fish! He has to call his mates to help. And there they are, swamped with the huge catch he can’t manage alone.

When they’re all safely ashore and the fish safely landed – what makes Peter suddenly drop to his knees before Jesus and say: “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself?”

Simon obeys Jesus. But I just wonder whether the attitude inside his head is one of contempt about Jesus’ lack of professional authority in the whole area of fishing. After all, Simon is the authority in all things fishing.

And now Jesus exposes all that pride and shows Simon something a bit beyond his ken. Jesus does a miracle that has nothing to do with any training or experience as a fisherman.

That’s challenging stuff when you think you know it all.

I wonder what beliefs we have about our skills, our professional competency? Where does our pride sit?

In the end, Jesus wants us completely surrendered to Him. It’s all about what He can do through us when He is Lord. That’s what Simon learned that day.