Deep Waters
The Joy of Following Jesus When it Makes no Sense
I love the story of the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5:1-11. Simon Peter’s encounter with Jesus is so personal and powerful. God has used this story to encourage me to trust him when the places he calls me to don’t make a lot of sense.
The Call to Deep Water
Jesus was near a lake, surrounded by crowds of people who came to hear his words. In order for them to hear him teach, he needed to distance himself a little. He climbed in a boat and moved away from them, just a little bit. Jesus taught the crowds, and when he finished he said to Simon, the fisherman who owned the boat, “Put out into the deep water and let out your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:1-4)
It is remarkable to me the incredible honor shown to Simon in this passage. Jesus had already honored Simon by entering his home and healing his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39), but in this passage there is something even more special. Jesus pushed away from the crowds, but he drew Simon near. Not only did he draw Simon near, but he took him out into the deep water.
Simon would never have gone into the deep water in the heat of the day. The fish were never biting then and there. It defied fisherman wisdom. It defied common sense. He was tired and worn out and discouraged, he had labored all night and caught nothing. Maybe he was questioning his calling as a fisherman.
But he said to Jesus, “Master, if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.”(Luke 5:5) If you say so, Master.
“If You Say So…”
This is the first time in the book of Luke we’ve seen anyone call Jesus “Master.” Others have been amazed at the miracles. Others have thronged around Jesus and begged him to stay. But this is the first time in the book of Luke that Jesus has asked someone to go with him somewhere. And Simon says “Yes, Master.”
Jesus had a special miracle reserved for Simon in the deep water. He showed Simon something no one had yet seen. The crowds had seen Jesus’ power to heal them and cast out demons. But Jesus showed Simon that he was sovereign over the natural world with a miraculous catch of fish.
All night Simon had labored, willing those fish into the net, and all night he had to come face to face with the fact that he could not make them come. Then here is this Jesus, with the power to do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. And he showed Simon his power in such a personal way.
The Humble Response of Faith
Simon does something in response that we haven’t seen anyone do in the book of Luke so far. We’ve seen people go down in the water in repentance. But on top of the water in the boat, Simon fell to his knees in fear of the Lord.
The only other beings who responded to Jesus with fear were the demons in Capernaum. What did the demons know? They knew that Jesus was the Christ, the son of God (Luke 4:34,41).
I think Simon was the first person to recognize who Jesus really is, and his response was one of fear. He was confronted with his own sin and he humbly fell to his knees. While in Capernaum they were amazed and tried to get Jesus to stay with them (Luke 4:42), Simon says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8)
This is exactly the kind of response Jesus is looking for. Instead of departing from this “sinner,” Jesus calls him out into even deeper water. He calls him to join him in his mission of fishing for men. (Luke 5:10)
Fishing for Men
Just as Simon could not conjure fish into his net with his own power, he would be helpless as an evangelist to get men to come to Jesus. But Jesus is sovereign over fish, and over men. He will be the one, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring men to himself. We just have to say “Yes, Master,” and cast the nets.
When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in Acts 2, there was another miraculous catch of fish. This same Simon (now called Peter) cast the net into the water: he proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. And what happened? Three thousand souls were saved that day. Not by the skill of Simon Peter, but by the power of God.
Following Jesus is not about YOU calling Jesus to join YOU in the life YOU are happily building for YOURSELF. It is about Jesus calling you to follow him in his life, his work, and his ministry.
The Scary Call to Intimacy with Christ
Jesus distanced himself from the crowds, but he called Simon Peter with him out into the deep water. The call to follow Jesus is both intimate and scary. Jesus calls us to do things that defy common sense. You can stay with the crowds on the land if you want, but then you will completely miss the personal private miracle out in the deep.
One of the scariest things God ever called me to do was to have a fifth (and then a sixth) child. I was already at maximum capacity with four kids and homeschooling. I couldn’t imagine adding more. It was a call to deep water. But I said yes. And for six years I have watched as God has gloriously stretched my capacity.
When God later called us to take those six kids (ages 2 to 14) to a foreign country for two weeks to fish for men, we went, even though everyone thought we were crazy. It defied human reasoning. It was a call to deep water. We said yes. And I have never experienced the presence and love of God like I did on that trip. It changed my life.
Right now God is calling our family to reach out and love a people group in our city that has been rejected and marginalized. It requires reorienting our schedule, our holidays, our friendships, and our time in the middle of the busiest season of my life. It is a call to deep water. Will I say yes? What precious miracles might he let me see if I obey?
Who is Calling Whom?
Following Jesus is not about YOU calling Jesus to join YOU in the life YOU are happily building for YOURSELF. It is about Jesus calling you to follow him in his life, his work, and his ministry. He wants to live his life through you on this earth.
Following Jesus means leaving your plan behind and going with him out into the deep water. What he has planned for you is so much better than the life you have planned for yourself. It may defy common sense, but you can trust him. Out in the deep water there is a special intimacy reserved for those who say, “Yes, Master.”
Do it. Go out there with him and cast the nets. He has something wonderful waiting for you out in the deep water. I promise.
O God, the pull of my desires and fears are so strong. I am so tempted to just plug my ears to this message and run hard after the life I had planned. Give me the faith to trust you. Give me ears to hear what you are calling me to do today. I do want greater intimacy with you. I do want to really follow you. I am not worthy for you to live your life through me, but I believe that is exactly what you want to do. I release my life to you now. Take me to the deep water. I want to go deeper with you.
Thank you so much for this article. I am currently doing a study on this scripture and this article hands down has been the most impactful. Thank you for taking the time to share your story and wisdom on this bible story.