The Miracles of Jesus

The Miraculous Catch of Fish

Luke 5:1-11 ^NLT

“One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets*.”- Luke 5:1-2

            Feeling the crowd pressing in upon him, Jesus retreated to one of the boats and asked Peter, the owner of the boat, to push the boat away from the shore so he could speak from the water. That created a perfect amphitheater where the sound resonated throughout the area and all the people could hear him. When Jesus was finished teaching the crowd he turned to Peter and told him to go out to deeper water and let down his nets to catch some fish. It wasn’t a suggestion, but rather a directive. Peter was tired, having fished all night without catching one fish, but he honored the Lord’s wishes and to his amazement nearly as soon as the nets hit the water they were full to overflowing with fish. So much so that the nets had begun to break. Peter, realizing what was taking place dropped to his knees and asked Jesus to leave him for he was too great of a sinner to be anywhere near him. Jesus told him not to be afraid and let him know that from then on he would be fishing for men.

            Think about how Jesus must have felt with throngs of people following him and getting in his ‘personal space’, as some would say today. But it didn’t seem to faze the Lord. He simply adjusted the situation by moving to a higher place or taking a boat out a little ways into the water so all could hear him better. Even when pressed he exhibited a kind, selfless spirit, one that we sorely need ourselves. His main concern was introducing his hearers to the kingdom of God and the gift of redemption that awaited those who followed him.

            How does this story relate to us? We must grasp the significance of Jesus intermingling with the commoners of Israel. He invited the lowest individuals according to society’s norms to come, listen and be changed forever. This ruffled the feathers of the religious leaders as seen throughout the gospels. He comes to anyone who is in need, therefore, he comes to all because we are all sinners in need of his grace and forgiveness. It should also be said that just as Peter, James and John left their boats and followed Jesus, so we must leave our past behind us and commit our future solely to him. We must understand that following Jesus is much more than simply acknowledging him as Savior...he must also be the Lord of our lives. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible, c. 2007.

* “Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee used nets, often bell-shaped one with lead weights around the edges. A net would be thrown flat onto the water, and the lead weights would cause it to sink around the fish. Then the fishermen would pull on a cord, drawing the net around the fish. Nets had to be kept in good condition, so they would be washed to remove weeds and then mended.” - Note from Life Application Study Bible, p. 2195.