For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God
Peter would seem wise when it comes to fishing. He was a professional, after all. Yet this wisdom is foolishness in the eyes of God.
Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing
Peter's wisdom wasn't meeting his needs. He had to allow himself to become a fool. And here is the lesson that it is so difficult to learn. Jesus engaged Peter precisely in a part of his life where he had a plan, he had expertise, and had habits in place. It would have been easy for Peter to keep doing what he had always done. That was the direction inertia would have carried him. But Jesus was somehow able to break through.
but at your command I will lower the nets.
Immediately the wisdom of God was proven.
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
Peter wasn't going to use skill or reason to make this catch. Jesus is similarly inviting us to trust in his voice even when the entire content of our life history seems to say his words cannot be true. Why was Peter open to the word of Jesus? Perhaps he knew him by reputation. Certainly, by the time Jesus arrived Peter was frustrated and exhausted by his own efforts. It was enough. Are we repeating the same attempt to meet our own needs and catching nothing? Let's look for Jesus to enter into those very circumstances today to show us a new way to fish. He starts by asking for us to change the way we relate to the circumstances we're already in. But he doesn't stop there.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men."
From our own circumstances we are drawn beyond ourselves and our concerns to concern for the Kingdom. In such concern, more so than from any catch of fish, we can be truly fed and satisfied.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
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