Verse 2 The book of Matthew says that Jesus had seen Simon Peter and Andrew out fishing from a distance and waited for them to come to land.

Verse 3 This is not their first encounter with Jesus. The book of John records that these fishermen (Simon Peter & Andrew are brothers, James & John are brothers) had seen Jesus at John the Baptist’s baptism.

Verse 5 “But at your word, I will let down the nets.” (ESV) Simon Peter is frustrated that he’s caught no fish all night and now Jesus asks him to do it again. Not only that, but Jesus is asking them to let down their nets in the middle of the day. And even though they worked all night and caught nothing he tells Jesus he will try again because Jesus asked him to.

There are times when Jesus asks us to do something that goes against our experience or knowledge. Our instinct might say this isn’t going to work but we have to remember these are distorted by sin to doubt Jesus. Our understanding is flawed.

Another note here, we can work and work and work at something and feel like we accomplished nothing with our work but the greater harvest might be what Jesus does with us to reach those who don’t know Him.

Not only do Simon Peter and his brother Andrew see this miracle, but so do James and John who had not seen or heard of Jesus before. And most likely the people on land who were listening to Jesus’ teaching saw this miracle too. Remember, Jesus’ miracles are for the purpose of building faith in others.

Verse 8 Jesus’ blessing was more than they could handle. Simon Peter felt unworthy of Jesus’ favor. When we are impacted by the light of Jesus, the darkness of our sinful self is exposed. We feel unworthy of this showering of His overwhelming love for us.

Jesus often speaks to us through His Word, and it most likely contradicts our natural reasoning. But when we obey Him in faith, the blessing is on the other side. Maybe not immediately, but it is coming.

The real blessing for Peter here was not all the fish. It was having his eyes opened to see who Jesus really was and to see Peter, himself, for who he really was in his own sin. We will never understand our need for Jesus until we understand that we are a sinner before a Holy God.

Verse 10 Jesus tells them they will catch men. Fishing for people. They will use the Good News message to fish with and share with others that Jesus is here, the Messiah they had been waiting for, in hopes that listeners would become followers of Jesus and enter into the Kingdom of God.

Verse 11 This is shows you the impact of Jesus.  The fishermen left all their fish and followed Jesus! Instead of going to the market and making money off the fish, left their miracle behind to follow Jesus. That’s the kind of impact Jesus has on people. His message is greater than his miracles. The miracle was to prove or confirm faith but it was never meant to be the end. The miracle wasn’t for these fishermen to follow the money. It was to show them Jesus was who He said he was. And when they saw who He was, the Messiah, they gladly left everything behind and followed after Him to share this message with others.

What miracles are you looking for God to do in your life? Is it a miracle to confirm faith or is it simply to satisfy a temporary desire? What would your life look like once you received the miracle?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your miracles in our lives. There are so many you’ve performed that we may never realize. You are a miracle worker, a way-maker, and a promise-keeper. Jesus, you are the Holy One of God. You expose the darkness of sin in our lives with the light of your Truth. Help me to throw off my natural reasoning, Jesus, and follow Your Word, Your Truth in my life. My understanding is so flawed. Help me to remember that there are people watching. Witnesses to Your Truth, Your work, Your miracles in my life. I am a sinful person, Jesus, in need of You in my life. Open my eyes to the depths of my sin that I might throw off what is hindering me and chase after You with all I have. Change me, Jesus. Mold me in Your image that You may be blessed and glorified by the radical change in me, with me. Help me extend this blessing of knowing You to all the people I come in contact with today. May they see You in me, Jesus. May they hear You in me, Jesus. Help me to use all that you’ve given me to bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.