Call by the Sea
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was secured, both the boats were so heavily laden that they were in
danger of sinking.
But Peter was unmindful now of boats or lading. This miracle,
above any other he had ever witnessed, was to him a manifestation
of divine power. In Jesus he saw One who held all nature under
His control. The presence of divinity revealed his own unholiness.
Love for his Master, shame for his own unbelief, gratitude for the
condescension of Christ, above all, the sense of his uncleanness in the
presence of infinite purity, overwhelmed him. While his companions
were securing the contents of the net, Peter fell at the Saviour’s feet,
exclaiming, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
It was the same presence of divine holiness that had caused the
prophet Daniel to fall as one dead before the angel of God. He said,
“My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no
strength.” So when Isaiah beheld the glory of the Lord, he exclaimed,
“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and
I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have
seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
Daniel 10:8
;
Isaiah 6:5
. Humanity,
with its weakness and sin, was brought in contrast with the perfection
of divinity, and he felt altogether deficient and unholy. Thus it has
been with all who have been granted a view of God’s greatness and
majesty.
Peter exclaimed, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man;” yet he
clung to the feet of Jesus, feeling that he could not be parted from
Him. The Saviour answered, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt
catch men.” It was after Isaiah had beheld the holiness of God and his
own unworthiness that he was entrusted with the divine message. It
was after Peter had been led to self-renunciation and dependence upon
divine power that he received the call to his work for Christ.
Until this time none of the disciples had fully united as colaborers
with Jesus. They had witnessed many of His miracles, and had lis-
tened to His teaching; but they had not entirely forsaken their former
employment. The imprisonment of John the Baptist had been to them
[247]
[248]
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all a bitter disappointment. If such were to be the outcome of John’s
mission, they could have little hope for their Master, with all the reli-
gious leaders combined against Him. Under the circumstances it was a
relief to them to return for a short time to their fishing. But now Jesus
called them to forsake their former life, and unite their interests with