By R.A. Mathews

“I’m going fishing,” Peter said one night. This was over a week after the crucifixion and resurrection. There’s little doubt Peter had a lot on his mind. 

Six disciples joined him, climbing into a wooden boat under what was probably a star-filled sky. Then the seven moved out onto the Sea of Galilee.

Nearly eight miles wide and 13 miles in length, the Sea of Galilee isn’t part of the sea at all. It’s a big freshwater lake and also a geographical wonder — 700 feet below sea level.

Fishing was perhaps Peter’s meditation. A place of beauty and calm. Even the physical act of lowering the heavy nets might have been peaceful. Rhythmic. The best time to fish on the Sea of Galilee was in the evening. The wind would die down, smoothing out choppy waters. 

Little did Peter know then that he was about to see Jesus’s last miracle.

Peter fished all night without a single catch. Years earlier, after a night when he’d also caught nothing, a miracle changed the course of Peter’s life. Here’s what happened.

“[Jesus] saw… Simon’s [boat and] asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and… signaled to their partners… and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’… And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him” (Luke 5:1-11, ESV).

That passage was near the beginning of Peter’s time with Jesus, and this next scene is after the quiet night when Peter and the six couldn’t catch a single fish. 

“The following morning as they neared the shore, a man called to them… ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that… [Peter] threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land…” (John 21:1-8, ESV).

As I said, it was the Lord’s last miracle. A haul so great that John decided to count the fish — 153 (John 21:11).

Do you think it’s a coincidence — the identical miracles? One near the beginning of Peter’s time with Jesus and one near the end? Or was Jesus saying something?

Look at what else happened on that sea. A wild storm terrified Peter and the disciples. Jesus awoke, silenced the crazed winds, but also rebuked his men for their shaken faith. 

Later, when the disciples had set off across the water leaving the Lord to pray, Jesus returned to them, walking on the lake. Look closely at how Peter asked to join Him.

“[Peter said], ‘… command me to come to You on the water.’ [Jesus] said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water… But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me’” (Matthew 14:28-30, ESV).

Peter walked on water! Peter didn’t sink until he took his eyes off Jesus.

With all of those miracles, Jesus said, “I’ve got you, Peter.” 

Now and always, I’ve got you.

God also has you. He’s as present in your life as He was in Peter’s. He’s given you miracles, too, whether you’ve recognized them or not. And He longs to give you more. 

Peter didn’t think he was good enough to be with Jesus, didn’t think he would survive the squall, didn’t believe he could stand on the sea. Each time, Peter wasn’t ready for God’s greatness. 

Pray for the miracle you need, for God to help you. But also pray to stay close to Him as you receive His power. Otherwise, you can fall as Peter did. 

In all things, pray. 

The Rev. Mathews (B.A., M.Div., J.D.) is the author of the “Reaching to God” series. Contact her at Hello@RAMathews.com. 

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