Luk 5:8 | KingComments | STEP | Simon Peter acknowledges that the Lord has brought the fish into the net. He suddenly finds himself facing the almighty and omniscient God. The proof of His power brings him at His feet. In His light he sees himself as a sinful person. He acknowledges that he cannot be with Him. At the same time, he is at the Lord’s feet. He is close to Him. This makes him feel that the Lord will not send him away. He knows that the Lord accepts a broken spirit and does not despise a broken and a contrite heart ( ). This conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit presents the greatness of Christ. A person who sees this will see himself as a sinner. At the same time, the Holy Spirit also shows the attractiveness of Christ. He is the Man to Whom the word of Proverbs 19 applies perfectly: “What is desirable in a man is his kindness“ ( ). This word can be put as a heading above this Gospel, that presents Him as Man. The Lord is full of kindness to receive convicted sinners. He longs for them. The man who sees this, knows that He does not repel a convicted sinner, but accepts him. Several have said that they have sinned or that they are a sinful man, but have not done so at the feet of the Lord Jesus, trusting in Him, and therefore they never have found peace. Peter’s boat sailed up the lake twice in a twenty-four hour period. One time at night, because then the chance of a good catch is greatest, and one time during the day, when the chance of a good catch is considerably smaller. The environment is the same on both occasions, also the men and also the material. Only one thing is different: the second time Christ is on board. That makes the big difference in the result. Amazement because of the great catch has seized Simon and all who are with him. It makes a deep impression on them. James and John are also mentioned by name. They are professional colleagues of Simon and even partners. They share in the catch and in the amazement. They will also be called by the Lord to follow Him at the same time as Peter. A calling is always personal. Luke shows how the Lord calls Simon, but it also applies to the others. The Lord calms Simon, who is lying at His feet. He need not be afraid of His greatness. Seeing Christ and trusting His word means giving room to the perfect love that casts out fear ( ). At the same time, this is the right attitude with which the Lord can move forward. Therefore He then tells Peter that from this moment on he will become a fisher of man. Through Peter’s personal experience, he can now go catching men by impressing them with the greatness of Christ and their own sinfulness. The fishermen finish their daily work neatly, they pull the boats ashore. Then they leave everything and follow Him. It’s written down so simple, but what an event! The encounter with the Lord Jesus and His calling have resulted in an enormous change in their life. There is no consideration, no request to say goodbye first. The calling of the Lord is decisive. They can leave the consequences to Him.

‏ Luke 5:8

Fishers of Men

Simon Peter acknowledges that the Lord has brought the fish into the net. He suddenly finds himself facing the almighty and omniscient God. The proof of His power brings him at His feet. In His light he sees himself as a sinful person. He acknowledges that he cannot be with Him. At the same time, he is at the Lord’s feet. He is close to Him. This makes him feel that the Lord will not send him away. He knows that the Lord accepts a broken spirit and does not despise a broken and a contrite heart (Psa 51:17). This conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit presents the greatness of Christ. A person who sees this will see himself as a sinner.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit also shows the attractiveness of Christ. He is the Man to Whom the word of Proverbs 19 applies perfectly: “What is desirable in a man is his kindness“ (Pro 19:22a). This word can be put as a heading above this Gospel, that presents Him as Man. The Lord is full of kindness to receive convicted sinners. He longs for them. The man who sees this, knows that He does not repel a convicted sinner, but accepts him. Several have said that they have sinned or that they are a sinful man, but have not done so at the feet of the Lord Jesus, trusting in Him, and therefore they never have found peace.

Peter’s boat sailed up the lake twice in a twenty-four hour period. One time at night, because then the chance of a good catch is greatest, and one time during the day, when the chance of a good catch is considerably smaller. The environment is the same on both occasions, also the men and also the material. Only one thing is different: the second time Christ is on board. That makes the big difference in the result.

Amazement because of the great catch has seized Simon and all who are with him. It makes a deep impression on them. James and John are also mentioned by name. They are professional colleagues of Simon and even partners. They share in the catch and in the amazement. They will also be called by the Lord to follow Him at the same time as Peter.

A calling is always personal. Luke shows how the Lord calls Simon, but it also applies to the others. The Lord calms Simon, who is lying at His feet. He need not be afraid of His greatness. Seeing Christ and trusting His word means giving room to the perfect love that casts out fear (1Jn 4:18). At the same time, this is the right attitude with which the Lord can move forward. Therefore He then tells Peter that from this moment on he will become a fisher of man. Through Peter’s personal experience, he can now go catching men by impressing them with the greatness of Christ and their own sinfulness.

The fishermen finish their daily work neatly, they pull the boats ashore. Then they leave everything and follow Him. It’s written down so simple, but what an event! The encounter with the Lord Jesus and His calling have resulted in an enormous change in their life. There is no consideration, no request to say goodbye first. The calling of the Lord is decisive. They can leave the consequences to Him.