Miracles in the Bible: Part Three
Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-11
Once upon a time, as Jesus’ began ministry, He found Himself at the Sea of Galilee surrounded by multitudes of people eager to hear the Word of God. His ministry drew crowds that pressed in on Him with insistence and urgency, almost driving Him into the lake. Earlier in Luke Jesus was filled with the Spirit, tempted by Satan, and our first bookend miracle is ripe for harvest. People watched Him heal, deliver, and preach with some kind of power they couldn’t understand and now the Lord is ready to miraculously show where His power comes from with undeniable proof: He’s the Messiah.
These bookend stories focus on Jesus and Peter, however, other disciples were present witnessing these unprecedented catches of fish. Out of necessity He spotted two boats, stepping into Simon’s (Peter) asked him to push out a little for His teaching. Simon was happy to comply, however, Jesus wasn’t finished since He had a divine assignment on that lake to prove, without a doubt, He was the LORD calling these men into ministry. He then requested Simon to go deeper for a catch, simple enough, however, Simon knew Jesus had no fishing experience, they’d already been fishing all night catching nothing, and now, in the middle of the day, He wants them to try again?
I can imagine Peter’s doubt, he even made his case, but these two sets of brothers pushed out again at Peter’s direction trusting Jesus’ word (rhema). What happened? The nets, connecting the two boats, drew a mega-catch which just about sunk them! That enormous haul of fish, undoubtedly directed by Jesus (He even controls fish), caused this future leader of the Church to realize He truly was the Son of God and responded with humility and repentance. As he witnessed the wonder-working, all-knowing, and loving God he received the rhema or ‘word’ into his heart and from that moment Jesus replied he’d soon be catching men: lower and upper story.
The bookend lake-miracle found in John 21 is a repeat scenario that Peter and John must’ve recognized: a superabundant, miraculous catch after Jesus’ resurrection. They enjoyed a breakfast cookout with the risen Savior remembering their assignment to ‘catch men’.
The upper story of these encounters with Christ tell us a few things for our life in all kinds of ministry. First, when Jesus asks you to do something, obey, and if He asks you to do more, comply with expectation. It may not make sense or seem logical but receive His ‘word’ and trust Him. As the Spirit plants an idea in your mind seek others who’ll join you possessing the same passion; we work best as we co-labor in teamwork. Like Peter, stay humble, covering your endeavor in prayer, being willing to sacrifice some things: time, energy, maybe finances to pursue your vision. He promises a ‘catch of people’ who are ready to receive His Word.
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