This section describes how Jesus taught Simon how to fish. First, we see that Jesus told Simon to do all the "wrong" things -- He told him to go out fishing in the middle of the day (night is preferred for fishing); and he told him to go way out into the deep water -- fishing with nets is more effective in the shallower waters.
Simon answered that they had already spent all night fishing, without success, but that he would, regardless, obey Christ's command. It would have been a long process of again getting ready and preparing to go back onto the sea. Furthermore, they were already cleaning their nets -- if they cast them in again, they would need to repeat the cleaning.
Still, Simon obeyed and they cast again. They took in such a large catch of fish that their boats began to sink.
In this passage, we see Simon in a battle. He was in a battle with believing Christ rather than doubting. Surely it would have been embarrassing for him to obey Jesus. What would the other fishermen think to see him going out fishing at the wrong time, in the wrong way?
We also see see a few things about Christ in this passage. First, we see that He is omniscient (knowing everything) -- He knew just where the fish were. Secondly, we see that He is omnipotent (all powerful) -- He had the power to bring the fish to the net. He demonstrated complete dominion over the fish of the sea.
We know from the Bible that Christ came to give life and to give "life more abundant." He gives more than we expect, just as He did for Simon by giving him a gigantic catch of fish. We see that obeying Jesus is never a fool's errand.
Simon Peter won the battle and obeyed Christ. Because he obeyed, he was blessed. Often for us, we don't see the blessing right away. But, we should obey anyway. Like Simon, we may be called to do something we've never done before, something strange. We must recognize that it will be a battle between flesh and spirit and not look to the circumstances.
Also, we can see that Jesus is involved in all areas of our lives. Christianity is not just a "church thing."
Simon is humbled greatly by the great catch he is given. When he obeyed Christ, he was questioning; he still had a lot of doubt. After his success fishing, he reacts by falling at Jesus' feet in humility rather than dancing around with joy. He confesses his sinfulness and confesses Jesus as God -- all powerful. He is in amazement that God in holiness wants to have something to do with a man like him. Jesus' response to Simon's humility is, "Fear not." He gives Simon a call and tells him to follow Him.
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