When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 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.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:4–6 (NIV)
After toiling all night with nothing to show for it, Peter and his partners had to wash their nets and stretch them out so they wouldn’t rot. But after Jesus used Peter’s boat as a pulpit while teaching the crowds, He told the experienced fisherman to row out to deep water and lower the nets. This instruction went against Peter’s knowledge and training. In the Sea of Galilee, fishermen went out at night in the shallow water.
Peter respectfully expressed doubts about the wisdom of this action, but he did obey Jesus’s command. The nets filled with so many fish they began to tear. Peter called his partners for help. The men loaded both boats so full of fish they almost sank (v. 7).
Jesus often asks His followers to do something that flies in the face of logic. He may ask us to change our vocation, end a relationship, move to a new area, make friends with an enemy, or any number of things. We choose between following our natural instincts or human understanding and obeying our Master’s words. There are also times when our life events don’t seem to make sense at all. We wonder why we should keep on praying, going to church, and studying His Word. We may not see our acts of obedience bring an immediate miracle as Peter did, but it’s always the better choice to tell Jesus, “ . . . but because you say so . . . ”
Faith Step: Is Jesus prompting you to do something that seems illogical? Ponder all the miracles He performed. Obey whatever He asks of you.
