Dr. Pothana's Teaching

1. Eze 36:26
Miracle of
Jesus

3. The Miracles of Jesus
Miraculous Catches of Fish
Luke 5:1-11; John 21:1-11

4. Jesus Calls His First Disciples Luke 5:1-11
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the
people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He
saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who
were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one
belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then
he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep
water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t
caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that
their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other
boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full
that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away
from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were
astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and
John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for
people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and
followed him.

5. The Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee is a
freshwater lake through
which the Jordan River
flows. It is pear-shaped,
with a length from north to
south of 13 miles, a
maximum width of 8 miles,
and a maximum depth of
157 feet; it covers about
64 sq. miles. The lake lies
686 feet below sea level.
In the Bible, it is also
known as Chinnereth,
Gennesaret and Tiberias.

6. The Sea
of Galilee
Most of Jesus’ activity around the
Sea of Galilee occurred along
the northern coast

7. Fishing on the Sea of Galilee
The boat below is a replica
of boats used to fish on
Galilee in Jesus’ day.
The fish at right are Tilapia,
the only large fish in the
Sea of Galilee that school.

8. Details of the Miracle in Luke 5:1-11
 Multitudes press to hear the “word of God” (5:1)
(lit. the word “from God”, cf. Luke 8:11, 21; 11:28)
 Jesus uses Simon Peter’s boat as a pulpit (5:2-3)
 When He is finished speaking He tells Peter to
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets
for a catch.” (5:4)
 Peter answers, “Master,
we have toiled all night
and caught nothing;
nevertheless at Your
word I will let down the
net.” (5:6)

9.  They catch a great number of fish (5:6-7)
 So many fish that the net was breaking, and two boats
were filled and sinking.

10.  Peter fell down at Jesus’ knees and said “Depart
from me for I am a sinful man.” (5:8)

11.  Despite being professional fishermen, Peter and all
who were with Him were astonished at the catch (5:9)
 It signified miraculous knowledge on the part of Jesus.
 Jesus tells Peter and his partners, “do not be
afraid, from now on you will catch men.” (5:10)
 They brought their boats to land, forsook all and
followed Jesus (5:11) (Mark 10:28-30; Luke 14:33)

12. Details of the Miracle in John 21:1-11
 Jesus shows Himself to the disciples by the Sea of
Tiberius after His resurrection (21:1)
 The disciples had returned to Galilee as
instructed by Jesus (Matthew 28:10, 16)
 Peter announces that he is going fishing; Thomas,
Nathanael, James, John and two other disciples
decide to go with Peter (21:2-3)
 They fish all night and catch nothing.

13. Sunrise on Galilee as seen from Tiberius
In the morning, Jesus appears on the shore and tells
them to cast their nets on the right side (21:4)
 He is not recognized by His disciples at first.
 When they do as He says, they catch a great multitude of
fish. (21:5-6)

14. Details of the Miracle in John 21:1-11
 When Peter recognizes that it is Jesus, he puts
on his coat and jumps into the sea (21:7-11)
 The other disciples come in the boat dragging the net.
 The disciples see a fire with fish and bread.
 Jesus instructs them to
bring some of the fish they
had just caught. Peter
drags up the unbroken
net with 153 fish.
 The disciples recognize
Jesus as the resurrected
Lord (21:12-14)

15. Go
Deep

16. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus
uses:
1. Ordinary people
 Jesus initiates the search – Luke 19.10
 Jesus loves you just like you are
 Jesus takes what we have

17. 2. Persevering people
 Go back to the same waters which
discouraged you
3. Obedient people
 Start using the word “nevertheless”

18. 4. Humble people
Genesis 18.27; Isaiah 6.5;
1 Corinthians 15.9
 Humility before God transforms us into
servants to others
Mark 9.33-35

19. 5. Visionary people
 Discipleship means to ‘follow’
 Peter saw what he could be in Christ

20. Go
Deep