Good morning. Jesus had been preaching to a large crowd near the shore of Galilee. To allow everyone to see and hear, he asked a fisherman who was cleaning his nets nearby if He could be set out from shore in the fisherman’s boat. The fisherman was Simon, the man Jesus would call Peter. He said “yes” to Jesus’ request, and “put out a little way from shore.” When Jesus had finished preaching and teaching, he addressed Simon and the other fishermen, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4 As I have explained before, this would have sounded like a terrible suggestion for the fishermen. 1) They were bone tired after spending all night trying to catch fish and nothing to show for their efforts. 2) They had work to do, namely the tedious job of cleaning and drying the nets. If they followed Jesus’ request, they would have to start all over again. 3) Their nets were the kind that are circular and made to throw into the shallows, not the deep water. Nothing of what Jesus told them made any sense at all. But Simon, who would be called Peter, gave this answer: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5
Have you ever had one of those nights, or one of those days, or one of those weeks-months-years? One of those sleepless “fishless” nights when it just wasn’t working out like it should? Was it a matter of faith: “I want to believe but…” Was it a matter of healing: “I have been sick for so long…” Was it your marriage: “It seems like no matter what I say or do…”
Have you been where Peter was on that early morning so long ago? Disappointed, disillusioned, disgusted, and tired…oh, so very tired? Of course you have been. All of us, each and every one of us, from time to time can relate to those words, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.”
But Peter found the strength to obey Jesus. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” This was the result of his obedient answer: When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:6
Jesus knows when your nets are empty. Jesus knows when you feel discouraged and tired. Jesus knows when your heart is weary. But Jesus urges us to try again.
Jesus tells us to try once more, but to do it His way, with Jesus in the boat. His presence will make all the difference. It requires a trusting heart, but Jesus is faithful!
Vern