The Order of Holy Communion

FEAR NOT: THOU SHALT CATCH MEN

The Lord's Charge · A Meditation on St. Luke v. 1

Anyone who has worked hard all night and come home empty-handed knows the weariness in Simon Peter's voice. The fish had not come; the nets were washed and all but put away. And then a carpenter, who had borrowed his boat for a pulpit, told a fisherman where to fish.

By the lake of Gennesaret the people pressed in to hear the word of God, and Jesus taught them from Simon's ship. When He had done, He said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” It was the wrong hour and the wrong water, by every rule Peter knew.

“Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing,” Peter answered; “nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” That one word — nevertheless — is the hinge of the story: obedience set against all his experience. And the nets filled till they brake, and the ships till they began to sink.

The catch showed Peter at once the greatness of Christ and the smallness of himself: “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Yet the Lord neither departs nor sends him away. “Fear not,” He says; “from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

So in the midst of ordinary work the call still comes. Our own labour, however hard, takes nothing until His word goes with it; and the One we feel least worthy to be near is the very One who bids us follow. They forsook all, and followed him.