How we all need a sense of the power of the Lord behind our work! What Christ did for these disciples in giving them this miraculous catch was illustrative of what he assures us he will do for every gospel preacher. There are no true results without his power accompanying the message, and that power is extended when we are careful to carry out the work in the way he tells us. The extent of the blessing is in his sovereign control, but there is surely a promise that we will win some souls if we go about the work as he directs. The disciples were afraid when they saw what had happened. They were afraid of one who knew the deep places of the sea and controlled what went on in those secret depths. What could he not do? But we need that very same power and knowledge when we go about the work of evangelism and soul winning. It is a task far beyond our native ability.
Although the apostles were unique and their calling was unique, there is a sense in which everyone who comes to Christ needs to forsake all and follow Christ. If we try to hold on to our old life, we forfeit the life of discipleship, walking with Christ. There is a death that takes place at conversion, and it is symbolised by baptism. If we do not forsake all, if death to the old life is not complete, we will be drawn back to the old life all over again. No one forsakes all and embraces something else in its place unless he is convinced that all his good lies in that new thing he embraces.