Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/184

 XXIII.

"WE HAVE SEEN WONDERFUL THINGS TO-DAY."

One day the multitudes pressed so eagerly upon Him as He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, that our Lord got into a boat, which was Simon Peter's, and told him to push off a little from the land. Then, sitting down in the boat, He taught the people who came crowding down right to the water's edge. When He had finished speaking He said to Simon:

"Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught."

Now, Simon and his partners had been out all night casting their nets first on one side then on the other, and all to no purpose. "What was the use," a fisherman might have said, "of trying any more at present?" But Simon had seen enough by this time to make him obey without a word.

"Master," he said, "we have laboured all night and have taken nothing, but at Thy word I will let down the net."

And when they had done this they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships so that they were almost sinking. Lower and lower sank the boats till the water was almost level with the edge. It was scarcely safe to move. Peter was overpowered with the greatness of the miracle. How near God was! How unfit was he to be in His Presence! Trembling, he cast himself at the feet of Christ, crying out: