Go Out A
Little Bit Deeper (Luke 5: 1-10)
I love the story
about Jesus telling fishermen how to fish and where to let down their nets. Can
you just see it? There they are all dressed up in their fishing garbs (they
didn’t have closets of cloths back then).. They did this for a daily living
requirement and basic food needs. Every part of the fish was used for
something, nothing was wasted like today. They are having a really bad fishing night and day! Nothings being caught in the nets and this is where they fish all the
time! Its their best fishing spot, and when they get here at a certain time of day
when the fish are noted for being right here where they are, only no fish are
to be netted at all through the whole night of fishing! They are really disappointed and a bit angry. It took a lot of
work to get the nets ready and repaired. It takes time to get the boat
ready, to make sure all the moving parts (rudder) are working, and the sails
are patched and the ropes to pull them up in a hurry in case of an emergency in
a storm. The anchor is tied tight. There are so many things to do to get ready and then nothing is
caught! Real bummer dude! Their most likely thinking like many fishermen do; Well now what do we do? I guess we go back without any fish and tell some fish stories like we always do, you know, about he ones that got away! All of a
sudden Jesus happens to be walking on the shore. They know he doesn’t fish much, not that they know of, but he does teach a lot of interesting religious teachings that seem to settle ones soul. And he teaches with such authority, like hes a long time Pharisee in the priesthood, but they know he was raised around where they live in a small village that is hardly noticeable on any maps. Jesus then walks over and steps into (Simon’s) Pet’s boat. After
teaching some things, by the shore, in shallow waters, he says, “Peter lets go out
to deeper water’s, let the nets down and catch some fish." Peter stands up and looks
around and says; Did you hear that? He said to go out deeper, as if that’s
going to make a difference! You got to be kidding! He said to put out into
deeper water, and let the nets down! I had to say that again just to make sure
I heard what I heard. We haven’t caught anything all night long! We were on the
shore, getting ready to rest and repair things and go again later in the day and try our
luck. Well guys lets just entertain him for now, just to show him the fishing is not
going anywhere fast today. I can't believe he thinks he knows where the fish are, ha! Then Peters says something very respectful to Jesus, "Master because you say so I will do it." This Master thing is explaining to everyone who reads this about Peter's respect for the Godly teachings he's most likely heard at a local synagogue, and maybe even on the shore in days past. Peter recognizes that Jesus is faithful and he stands out amongst the other high priests who sound so condescending when they preach the word of God. He teaches about a hope that's is to come and is already come. He teaches like one who knows God first hand, like God and he are so close, but then Peter thinks, but that just can't be, or can it? So
they do as Jesus asked, and in no time at all the fish are jumping into the nets! All of
a sudden the boat is running over with a catch that would impress the whole
community! What a fish story to tell everyone! They won’t believe it! Hold on, just
a minute. How’d he know where the fish were? Who is this man? What just happened
is strange. He was so certain about it, and this fine catch of fish proves it!
Guys lets hurry back, the nets are breaking and the boat is almost capsizing
from being overloaded! They’re a happy bunch of fishermen! Then peter humbles himself in the boat. He bows down on his knees in front of Jesus and says; "Go away from me Lord! I am a sinful man!" Again Peters recognizes there is way more to this man than what is visibly seen. He feels the need to know more about him. His heart is burning to ask him some serious questions about this event and his teachings. Peter, in a way is saying hes sorry for making fun of Jess and doubting the fish would be where he said, at the exact place and deeper water. We say they did this
in total obedience, but they didn’t have a deep walk with Jesus yet, in fact
they barely knew of him. Their whole lives were about to change in just a few
minutes. When they arrived back at the shore, Jesus said “Follow me and I will
make you fishers of men”. They left the fishing business right there and
followed him. They began a deeper walk of life for the rest of their lives. The
Lord knows how to fill up the emptiness in our lives. There’s more to life than
fishing! May God bless you this wonderful day! Pastor Dan
