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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
heard by them, and from the boat upon the lake he preached in regard
to the mysteries of the kingdom of God. His language was simple and
earnest, appealing to the minds of the people with convincing power.
The discourse ended, Jesus turned to Peter and bade him launch
out into the deep, and let down his net for a draught. But Peter was
thoroughly disheartened; not only was he sorrowful because of the
death of John the Baptist, and his mind tortured with unbelief in conse-
quence of that event, but he was discouraged in regard to his temporal
prospects. He had been unsuccessful in his fishing, and the past night
had been spent in unavailing labor. It was therefore in a desponding
tone that he replied to the command of Jesus: “Master, we have toiled
all night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless, at thy word I will let
down the net.”
He called his brother to his aid, and together they let down the net
into the deep water, as Jesus had directed. When they came to draw
in the net they were unable to do so because of the great quantity of
fish it contained, and they were obliged to summon James and John to
their aid before they could draw in the net and unload it. When this
was done the boat was so heavily laden that there was danger of its
sinking.
Peter had seen Jesus perform wonderful miracles, but none made so
strong an impression upon his mind as this miraculous draught of fish,
after a night of disappointment. The unbelief and discouragement that
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had been oppressing the disciples through the long, weary night, now
gave way to awe and amazement. Peter was thrilled with a sense of the
divine power of his Master. He felt ashamed of his sinful unbelief. He
knew that he was in the presence of the Son of God, and felt unworthy
to be in such companionship. He impulsively flung himself at the feet
of Jesus, crying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
But even as he spoke, he was clinging to the feet of Jesus, and would
not have been willing for the Saviour to take him at his word, even if
he had attempted to do so.
But Jesus understood the conflicting emotions of the impetuous
disciple, and said to him, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch
men.” Similar words were afterward addressed to the three other fisher-
men, when they were all upon the shore. As they were busily employed
in mending their nets, which had been broken by the great weight of
the fish they had taken, Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will