Luke_5

Scripture 

Luke 5:5

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Observation - What does it say?

Simon (AKA Peter), had fished all night with his crew and they hadn’t caught a thing. Lots of effort expended, time and resources spent, and nothing to show for it. You can imagine the discouragement and frustration; the longing to just go home, take a shower, collapse in bed and attempt to forget it all. But instead, Jesus delays Peter by getting into his boat and asking him to push out from shore. And Jesus, from the boat, taught the crowd that had gathered. When Jesus was finished, I imagine Peter excited to finally go home, but instead, Jesus asks something else of Peter: "Put back into deep water and let down the nets for a catch."

Peter hears “for a catch,” and I imagine him rolling his eyes. Peter expresses his frustration, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” In other words, “There’s no fish out there, trust me! It’s a waste of time! I just want to go home!”

But after venting, Peter obeys and it led to such a massive catch that their nets began to break and it put 2 fishing boats beyond their capacity! Wow.

Understanding - What does it mean? 

Venting is ok, as long as you obey.

You can’t call Jesus “Master” and then choose to do what you prefer. Do you want to be Jesus' servant? ...Then don't get mad when he treats you like one.

 

It’s ok to disagree with God, to be honest about how you think his plan won’t work. But if you will obey anyway, there’s no telling to the miracle you'll see.

Consider Samuel being asked by God to pass up well built and qualified young men to anoint the runt of the family, David, to be king. Consider God commanding the priests to carry the ark of the covenant into the raging waters of the Jordan River while it was at flood stage. Consider God asking Peter to step into the home of the Gentile Cornelius. Consider our Savior Jesus being asked by his Father to go to the cross. None of those things could seem remotely logical or appealing to the one facing the command.

Scripture and history is filled with stories of people being asked by God to do something that didn’t make sense, that they didn’t want to do. But every time they obeyed, something amazing happened! God showed up and giants were killed, seas were parted, sick people were healed and countless people were saved from Hell, all because people like you and me chose to obey when it didn’t make sense or we didn't 'feel like it.'

Life Application

Consider, “In what situation do I need to make the transition from venting to obeying?” 

 

The outcome isn't up to me, it's up to you, God. My role is to obey. Please forgive me for when I camp out in the venting stage and never progress to obedience. I want to be a man after your own heart, like David, who will do everything you want me to do. Amen.

- Levi Thompson