And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and asked him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

I have had occasion to speak across water in less important situations, and it is true: Sound carries better over water. Well, when Jesus had finished his sermon, he said to Simon:

[…] Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answering said unto him, Teacher, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their net broke.

I guess Jesus felt he should pay something for the use of the ship. He could have given them money, I suppose, but he didn’t. He blessed them another way—in their business. It emphasized, I suppose, that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights—even if he doesn’t hand it to us himself, but asks us to let down our nets and pull it up.

And they beckoned unto their partners, who were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of the fish which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from now on you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Peter recognized a miracle when he saw it. And his view of himself was unobstructed; he knew what he was. And here’s the interesting thing to think about—so did Jesus.