While great crowds of people listened attentively to the words of Jesus, nearby some fishermen were washing their nets. Maybe they were grumbling while Jesus spoke about the wonderful things of the kingdom. No wonder, because they had worked hard all night and had not caught anything... Jesus loves people who listen attentively, but His heart also goes out to those who cannot listen, because their heart is filled to the brim with worries.
Since Simon Peter could not muster the inner peace to listen to Jesus, Jesus went into his boat and asked him to put out a little from shore. Now Simon Peter had to quit washing the empty nets, he had to quit grumbling and he could not do anything but listen.
When we quiet down from all our self-centered laboring, only then can we really listen to Jesus. Then He can prepare us to do anything He asks from us. ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ What Jesus asked here, was silly and very unusual. Fishing should be done at night: during the day the fish descend to deep water, out of reach of the nets. Therefore, let us be sensible: after failing at night, it is surely pointless to try again in the light of day!
But Simon Peter had listened to Jesus, and he was touched by Jesus' words. Therefore he did what Jesus asked, in spite of the mocking glances from the bystanders on the shore. And whoever bows before His word, is bowing before the One that spoke the word. Then a real submission to Him arises: ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’