After using Peter’s boat as a floating pulpit, Jesus took advantage of the intimate setting to hook his first disciples. Knowing the task he would set before Simon Peter and the others as they followed him and entered into his ministry, the Lord needed to demonstrate his knowledge, power, and provision in catching fish before he could ask them to catch men. Jesus often shows us that he can provide for our physical needs to demonstrate that he can also provide for our spiritual needs.
As is often the case with the miracles of Jesus, the circumstances surrounding the event paint a bleak, if not impossible, picture. For starters, Jesus, a carpenter, attempted to tell Peter, a seasoned fisherman, how to fish. Then we learn the night before had proved unfruitful in fishing, though they worked themselves to the bone. As if that were not enough, Jesus asked them to lower their nets during the day, a time when fishing usually yielded much smaller catches. Peter, though probably skeptical, responded kindly to Jesus by calling him master and following his orders. Peter dropped the larger nets used for night fishing and waited to see what would happen next. The deck was stacked against them: inexperienced teacher, bad luck, wrong time of day. If only we had a snapshot of Peter’s face as the nets filled and filled! Through Jesus’s presence and instruction, provision overflowed.
Once the two boats teemed and sank with the miraculous catch, Peter realized Jesus exercised power beyond that of a normal man. Though he started by calling Him Master (επιστατα—epistata) a term meant to signify a high social standing, Peter now rightly called Jesus Lord κυριε—kurie), a term that recognized Jesus’ authority and God working through Him. Peter, in the presence of the Lord, felt the weight of his own sinfulness and out of fear asked Jesus to depart so that he might not face judgment or other dangers. At this point Peter learned his second lesson from Jesus: he had not come to condemn but to invite. Although Jesus’s power and provision could lead to immediate judgment for sinners, he came to call Peter and the others to leave the life of fishermen and enter into the life of fishers of men.
Using the miraculous catch of fish as part of His résumé, Jesus communicated through word and deed that in the same way He taught them in this catch, he would most certainly teach them in spiritual matters as his disciples. After all, catching people is like catching fish: it requires Christ’s provision and presence. The miracle ended with Jesus’s calming words to Peter and his invitation to follow him in a life of discipleship and evangelism. Jesus extends that same invitation from the Sea of Galilee two thousand years ago to us today. Will you, like Peter, recognize that Jesus is so much more than a master? Rather, he is the risen Lord and worthy to be followed.
I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 9 years old. Now, nearly 70 years later, I can see His loving hand upon me, as I’ve go through trials, temptations, tragedies and "Life in General". He has never forsaken me, even when I’ve disappointed Him. He has supplied my every need, even in times when I have been away from Him. He’s always been there to calm the storms in my life. And now, as I’ve grown stronger in Him, He’s equipped me to be used by Him to help and encourage others both my age and much younger. I treasure the times I have with Him each morning, both in studying His Word and in prayer. He is truly a friend who sticks closer than a brother!
God has provided in so many ways in my life from before I was born until today. He saved me from being aborted, he carried me through a life where Jesus was not a part of it until I was a senior in HS. He has continued to lift me up and provide for me throughout all my sins and disobedience. He still loves me and I definitely don’t deserve it. He has spoken directly to me and I have experienced a few miracles that can only be HIM. No matter how small He provides. Just today in my quiet time doing this study He provided the EXACT scriptures from this lesson and last weeks for me to share with a friend in need of prayer and encouragement. I couldn’t have come up with those perfect scriptures on my own. It can only be Jesus and His love for me. How can I not share that with others…
I have never truly been without. There have been tough times, when I didn’t know how I could make it "to the end of the month." However, God has always seen me through.
Especially in what we, as a world, are facing today, I can testify to His healing power, His constant presence, His dominance over it all.
I would have to say especially in the times we are experiencing right now I have been blinded by the overflow of providing by Jesus! We have been able to have whatever we needed and more and I am not working and husband is not as much as he was! This whole pandemic has made us look at the very things in front of us! I love my husband and children so much and I thank God for them so deeply! Through all of this craziness, we have to turn to God and allow ourselves to see the good in this situation we are all experiencing, we have our family to spend time with and do so many things we never have “time” to do! Bless all ❤️
I would have never gotten through some of the things in my life without his guidance and love. I’ve leaned on his love to get me through my darkest hours. It’s easy to invite someone to share my love and joy in the Lord!
During these unprecedented times we’re living through, God has shown me his abundance so clearly to me. Even as He is quieting our spirits through these uncertain times, I have had the time to clean out junk from my garage and closets around the house, He reminds me of his provisions throughout the seasons of my life. Though businesses are shut up, I still have enough. He has helped me to lie down in green pastors and to notice what is most important: meeting my needs. Yet He also promises to fulfill the desire of every living thing. He is abundant! In Exodus 15:27 God shows his abundance to the Israelites shortly after leading them out of Egypt, "Then the children of Israel came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters."
Beautiful!
Sometimes it is not I that shares the Gospel but it is someone that I pray for that comes into the life of the person that needs to hear the Gospel. I can still see God’s work in their life and their transformation which is such a wonderful blessing.
The fact that I am still alive is proof enough for me… also the fact that I still have faith and actively pursue it, live it, etc…even if I do not share it as much as I should; “speaks “ loudly as to how big Gods presence is in my life. I do need to work on talking about the gospel more, in more arenas then just church or life groups….. that is a challenge I am working on!
God has provided a roof over our heads and food on the table during this time of Covid-19. If the Lord can provide for me He can do it for anyone.
I have been on an infertility journey for many years. After second loss I hit a real low. I didn’t know Jesus at that point, but that’s when I very clearly, and for the first time ever, FELT Him. His presence. His love for me. He lead me to a church and then a small group in my church for women suffering from infertility and loss. He placed me with those women so that I would be able to endure two more losses. He’s woven all thru my testimony. Because of my faith and trust in Him, I was able to be a beacon of hope for someone else walking thru their own pain who saw how I handled my heartache in the days following my fourth loss. I was able to testify that it is only through our Lord that I am able to posses that strength. Showing her God through my eyes and my story was a blessing in my suffering. God used my pain to help heal another and I am so thankful for that.