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Call by the Sea
141
come as a message of hope in trial, comfort in sorrow, and light in
darkness. That voice speaking from the fisherman’s boat would be
heard speaking peace to human hearts to the close of time.
The discourse ended, Jesus told Peter to launch out into the sea
and let down his net for a draught. But Peter was disheartened. All
night he had taken nothing. During the lonely hours, he had thought
of John the Baptist languishing in his dungeon, of the prospect before
Jesus and His followers, of the ill success of the mission to Judea,
and of the malice of the priests and rabbis. As he watched by the
empty nets, the future seemed dark with discouragement. “Master,
we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at
Thy word I will let down the net.”
After toiling all night without success, it seemed hopeless to cast
the net into the clear waters of the lake, but love for their Master
moved the disciples to obey. Simon and his brother let down the net.
As they attempted to draw it in, so great was the quantity of fish that
they were obliged to summon James and John to their aid. When
the catch was secured, both boats were so heavily laden that they
were in danger of sinking.
Unholiness Revealed
This miracle, above any other he had ever witnessed, was to
Peter a manifestation of divine power. In Jesus he saw One who held
all nature under His control. Shame for his unbelief, gratitude for
the condescension of Christ, above all, the sense of his uncleanness
in the presence of infinite purity, overwhelmed him. Peter fell at the
Saviour’s feet, exclaiming, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man,
O Lord.”
[158]
It was the same presence of divine holiness that had caused the
prophet Daniel to fall as one dead before the angel. See
Daniel 10:8
.
Isaiah exclaimed, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man
of unclean lips, ... for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of
hosts.”
Isaiah 6:5
. Thus it has been with all who have been granted
a view of God’s greatness and majesty.
The Saviour answered Peter, “Fear not; from henceforth thou
shalt catch men.” After Isaiah had beheld the holiness of God and
his own unworthiness, he was entrusted with the divine message.