When Jesus calls you everything changes
Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish, in the Sea of Galilee, by Raphael (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
This miraculous catch of fish illustrates a key aspect of Jesus’ ministry: His call, when obeyed, changes everything.
As soon as Peter saw the overflowing nets, he recognized his sinfulness in contrast to Jesus’ power. From that point onward, every priority in the fishermen’s lives changed, and things that once seemed important (the fish, the boats, their livelihoods) seemed so no longer.
The book of Amos uses a fishing metaphor to refer to the judgment of Israel:
The people of Israel would be caught like fish and hauled off to exile (see
Amos 4:2).
The book of Amos uses a fishing metaphor to refer to the judgment of Israel:
The people of Israel would be caught like fish and hauled off to exile (see
Amos 4:2).
Jesus, though, used fishing to symbolize the act of gathering
disciples into his kingdom, giving the metaphor the very opposite meaning.
Far from simply a miraculous catch of fish, which was impressive in and of
itself, Jesus’ miracle was one of many that signaled the arrival of the
kingdom of heaven.
disciples into his kingdom, giving the metaphor the very opposite meaning.
Far from simply a miraculous catch of fish, which was impressive in and of
itself, Jesus’ miracle was one of many that signaled the arrival of the
kingdom of heaven.
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The fishermen, like many others who experienced Jesus’ miracles, would never be the same.