This story teaches us something vital: God uses human hands. Yes, the miraculous catch of fish was supernatural, but notice this—the fishermen were still there. The boat was still needed. The nets still went into the water. God used it all to bring in the fish.

And that's exactly how God saves souls. He works through means. As long as this age of grace continues, God will be pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. Could God work without instruments? Of course! And when he does, he gets all the glory. But he has chosen to work through human vessels because somehow, mysteriously, this magnifies him most in the earth.

But here's the brutal truth: the means by themselves are utterly useless. Listen to Peter's exhausted confession: "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing." Why? Were they not professional fishermen? They were! Did they lack skill? No. Did they lack effort? No, they toiled. Did they lack persistence? No, they toiled all night long. Were there no fish in the sea? Absolutely not! The moment the Master showed up, fish swarmed to their nets in shoals.

So what was missing? Do you see it? There is no power in our methods when Jesus is absent. "Without him we can do nothing." Nothing! But with Christ? With Christ we can do all things.

Christ's presence makes all the difference. Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and by his mysterious influence, he drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in his Church, his presence becomes her power. The shout of a king rings out in her midst! "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all people to me."

So go out this morning to your work of fishing for souls. Look up in faith. Look around you with solemn anxiety for the lost. Toil until night falls. You will not labor in vain. Because the One who commands you to let down your nets will be the One who fills them with fish.