Jesus stood by the shore of Lake Gennesaret, and the people pressed about him, to hear him talk about God. He saw two ships near the water; they were empty, for the fishermen to whom they belonged were gone to wash their nets. One of the ships belonged to a man named Simon. Jesus stepped into it, and when Simon came asked him to push out a little from the shore; then he sat down in the ship and taught the people. When the sermon was over he said to Simon: “Push out now where it is deep, and let down your net.” Simon answered: “We have been at work all night, Master, and have caught no fish; but we will do as you say.” So they let down the net into the water, and at once it became so full of fish that it began to break. Then Simon and the other fisherman called to their partners, who were in the other ship, to come and help. They came and filled both the ships with fish; then the ships began to sink. Simon Peter, seeing that, fell on his knees and began to pray; he said: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” He meant that he was not worthy to be near the Lord. He was astonished and frightened, and so were the others—James and John, and they were the sons of Zebedee. Jesus spoke kindly and tenderly to Simon; he said: “Fear not; after this you shall catch men.”
MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES.—John xxi. 4.
THE CENTURION’S FAITH.
Next we find Jesus at Capernaum. A certain Roman military officer lived there, who had a servant lying very sick. The officer loved his faithful servant. He saw that he was going to die. He had heard of Jesus, and he sent some of the elders to him, begging that he would come and cure the sick man. The messengers came to Jesus and urged him to go at once to the sick one; they told him how kind the officer had been to their people. He went with them. When they were near the house, other friends came out to meet the Saviour, and presently the officer came himself. He told Jesus that he did not feel himself worthy to have so great a man in his house; that he did not want to trouble him to go there, and at first he thought he ought not even to come to him, troubling him. He begged that Jesus would just then and there speak a word that should cure his servant. He said that he was a man in authority, having servants who obeyed orders. Jesus, he believed, had but to give orders, and his invisible servants would obey him. Jesus wondered at his faith.
He turned, and said to the people who were following: “I haven’t found such great faith as this in all Israel.” Some of those who had been sent to Jesus, now reached the house where the sick man had lain, and behold he was well! This story is also told in Matthew viii. 5-13.
THE CENTURION.—Matt. viii. 8.