-March 29, 2022-
Good morning, happy Tuesday,
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.”
(Luke 5:5-6).
Jesus called four fishermen to be among His twelve disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They were also two sets of brothers. They were experienced fishermen who became fishers of men. Jesus got into one of Peter’s boats and asked him to move out a little from the shore so he could use the boat as a pulpit to preach the Word to the multitudes of people.
After Jesus stopped speaking, He told Simon, whom he later named Peter, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Jesus knew that they hadn’t caught a single fish that night. He gave Peter very specific instructions on what to do. He required his faith to be put into action. Launching into the deep is where we as believers rely most on the Lord. The deep waters are where we can’t touch the bottom, and we must swim using our spiritual muscles.
Jesus also tells Peter to let down his nets for a catch. Notice, Jesus says nets, plural. Peter on the other hand, indicated how he and partners had toiled all night and caught nothing. Without saying it, Peter was in affect showing his expertise on the Sea of Galilee and in fishing, and was almost discounting Jesus’ knowledge. He says, “Nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.” He will let down just one net, though he wasn’t expecting to catch anything. Life at times can be so frustrating, disappointing, and discouraging, especially we we try to do things on our own apart from the Lord. We strain, with no gain.
Peter learned a big lesson. Once he let down his one net, they caught a great number of fish. Peter had to call for help from his partners and soon their two boats started filling up so that they began to sink. I am sure this was their biggest catch ever, so much so that Peter responds to the Lord, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Peter was fully aware that this was a miracle done by Jesus. He felt so unworthy of the Lord.
If Peter would have just let down his nets, the net would not have have started to break. Often our faith is little and we settle for little when God wants to give us much. All of these four fishermen left everything to follow Christ. It is interesting to note that after Jesus’ resurrection, He met them on the shores of Galilee. Just like this time, they caught nothing. But in this case, He told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They did so and caught 153 large fish. The key was the net didn’t start breaking but they dragged it into the shore. There they enjoyed breakfast together. This account is found in John 21:1-13.
Let us learn our lessons well. When we step out in faith, obey the Lord fully, and rely on Him, we will be blessed to the fullest. He knows best, He knows everything about everything. We must launch out into the deep and let dow the nets.
Have a blessed day living for the Lord by faith and obedience. Let down your nets, have no regrets. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 