“But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Introduction
No matter how impulsive, adventurous or industrious some of us are, there are certain situations in life that will leave us looking and feeling like the Biblical Peter. I’m talking about situations that are overwhelming and that remain so regardless of how hard we try to overcome them.
They leave us on the shores of despair and frustration and sometimes, on the verge of bankruptcy. We are caught between wanting and asking for a miracle or simply walking away. Like Peter, we are found seated on a boat wondering what’s next. What we don’t know then is that it’s time for the supernatural (God’s miracles) to take over.
I use the word ‘supernatural’ guardedly here because I intend it to be understood specifically as that relating to the God of the Christian, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
If you’ve ever wanted or needed a miracle so badly, so desperately, you are not alone. Peter in the Bible was a fisherman who had toiled all night hoping to get a catch of fish which he could sell, eat, or share with family and friends.
Mind you, this was a seasoned fisherman so he most likely could read and forecast the weather, the tidal and wave patterns of the sea, and even where massive shoals of fish were likely to be located. Yet, on this particular occasion, all that knowledge proved futile because it got him no fish – not even the tiniest ones.
It only left him seated on his boat wondering what to do next. That was when Jesus Christ the Messiah approached Peter and asked to use this same boat as His pulpit. Peter must have acquiesced to this request just out of courtesy or probably because he was too tired to even try to protest. Anyhow, we now find Peter passively listening to this God-Man Jesus Christ along with all the other people present there.
I don’t know how long Peter hang on to Jesus’ words but then suddenly, unexpectedly, Jesus directed His words to him (Peter) and said ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch’(Luke 5:4). These words were to mark the beginning of Peter’s encounter with the supernatural and his walk with God.
This story of Peter’s big catch (Luke 5:1-11) is a story worth telling many times over. It captures the abundance of God’s supply and man’s response to the supernatural.
When Jesus provided Peter with the big catch, He provided him and us with insight on some of God’s principles of supply and provision. God is not interested in half-measures. He either does a thing or He does not. He has no time and no patience for lukewarmness [Rev.3:16] because He operates with the principle of ‘drink deep or taste not’. When He fills your cup, He fills it not to the brim but to overflowing.
When we ask something of Him according to His will, He exceeds our expectations by giving us exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ever ask for or think of [Ephesians 3:20]. And it was no different on this fateful day when He visited Peter with His divine dimensions of supply.
Four (4) Lessons from The Big Catch
Peter probably needed just enough fish for his and his family’s dinner that night and yet he got far more. Indeed, I’m sure what he got could have lasted for at least a year if it was so heavy as to weigh down two boats!! But the miracles of God always have lessons attached to them and when Jesus performed this one, He taught Peter some lessons that are still applicable to us today.
- We are never to doubt God’s ability to discern our deepest needs at any point in time, whether we have expressed them openly or not. God says even before we call Him (in prayer), He will hear and answer us (Isaiah 65:24).
- We are never to doubt God’s ability and desire to supply us with what we need for every day. “Therefore do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’’’ (Matthew 6:31)
- When we spend time studying God’s Word long enough, it’s only a matter of time before we experience the miracles and breakthroughs we need to progress in life. After Peter had spent time listening to the words of Jesus Christ, he received his own rhema word for a miracle.
- God’s visitations and miracles should lead us to repentance from our sins, to reverence for Him and all that he stands for, and ultimately to the salvation of our souls and the souls of others. Peter was so shaken by the miracle that he was torn between running away from the presence of the Messiah or acknowledging his sinfulness and his need for God’s salvation.
Conclusion
In effect, Peter’s miracle also answered the need for supernatural intervention in these fisher folks’ situation that day. Man’s fascination with the supernatural (the inexplicable and profound interventions of God) is fed by a deep yet unspoken hunger to see God move in our midst especially in situations where we find ourselves at the end of the road.
And yet when He does move, we are spellbound with fear and surprise – paralyzed by the instantaneous recognition of the stark comparison in our imperfections measured against His perfection. We cannot help but realize how these limitations hinder us from tapping into the fullness of His power at all times.
It is in this unveiled state that the mortal man identifies with Peter and gives the only appropriate response that comes to mind: ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’[Luke 5:8]. We do not wish Him to leave us there and then but we do not see ourselves worthy of hosting Him either.
We are torn between holding on to Him and this moment or running away in fear from the blunt revelation of our wretchedness that His presence brings home to us. And He, perceiving our anguish and our brokenness, is quick to assure us with His word ‘Do not be afraid…’ (Luke 5:10) that we may be empowered to be all that He calls us to be. How gracious is our God!
- Authored by: Hannah Arabella
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