Fishers of Men.
I. This passage reminds us that discipleship comes before apostleship. Peter had been, for at least some months, a docile learner in the school of Christ before he was called here to forsake all, and follow Him as an Apostle. They who would teach others about the Lord must first be acquainted with Him themselves.
II. That the knowledge of self, obtained through the discovery of Christ, is one of the main elements of power in seeking to benefit others. It is not a little remarkable that when God has called some of His greatest servants to signal service He has begun by giving them a thorough revelation of themselves, through the unveiling to them of Himself. Thus, when He appeared to Moses at the bush, the first effect was that Moses trembled and durst not behold, and the ultimate issue was that he cried, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent:... but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Peter recognised the deity of Jesus through the miracle; but the light of that Godhead did, at the same time, flash into his own heart, and reveal him unto himself as he had never had himself revealed unto him before. Then came the Master's "Fear not," with its soothing influence; and thus, through his discovery of himself, and his knowledge of his Lord, he was prepared for his apostolic service.
III. That the work of the Christian ministry demands the concentration of the whole man upon it. These first Apostles "forsook all, and followed Christ." This was their response to the call to active and official service by the Lord. Their ordination came later, but their acceptance of the call was now, and was signalised by their withdrawal from their ordinary pursuits.
IV. That the higher life of the ministry lifts into itself, and utilises all the experiences of the lower life that preceded it. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." This phrase tells us (1) that if we would catch men we must use the right kind of net; (2) that we must follow men to their haunts if we would win them for Christ; (3) that we ought to improve special seasons of opportunity.
W. M. Taylor, Peter the Apostle,p. 36.
References: Luke 5:1-11 A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,p. 11; W. Hanna, Our Lord's Life on Earth,p. 154; W. Scott, Christian World Pulpit,vol. x., p. 88; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 33; vol. v., p. 193; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ii., p. 350; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 342.Luke 5:4. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 287; Ibid., Sermons,vol. viii., No. 443; J. M. Neale, Sermons in Sackville College,vol. ii., p. 51: Talmage, Old Wells Dug Out,p. 323.Luke 5:4-6. S. Leathes, Truth and Life,p. 147; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 225; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. iii., p. 422.Luke 5:4-11. Ibid.,vol. ii., p. 560.