So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 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.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
Dear Jesus,
Peter was giving up. Fishing was unsuccessful. The long night had ended without a single fish. Hungry, tired, cold, and exhausted, he was ready to quit.
But You would not let him quit.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 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.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
Dear Jesus,
Peter was giving up. Fishing was unsuccessful. The long night had ended without a single fish. Hungry, tired, cold, and exhausted, he was ready to quit.
But You would not let him quit.
"For most people the disaster of life is that they give up just one effort too soon" (William Barclay in The Gospel of Luke, 1953, pp. 53-54).
I hear Your words to Peter as he was cleaning his fishing nets.
"Don't give up."
All of the other fishermen had left for the day. The night fishing hours had passed. Dawn had broken hours before. Peter had tried longer than any of the others. Now he was cleaning his nets, and You told him to “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
The crowds had already gathered on the shore. You were already teaching and preaching. You interrupted the spiritual care of hundreds, turned toward Peter, and in front of the entire congregation, You called him out! “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
"Don't give up."
It was embarrassing for Peter to resist You. To just finish cleaning the nets, put them out to dry, and return home for the day would have been an act of disrespect to You, Peter's rabbi.
"Too often we wait because the time is not opportune. If we wait for a perfect set of circumstances we will never begin at all. If we want a miracle we must take Jesus at His word when He bids us attempt the impossible" (ibid., p. 54).
Peter didn't give up.
Lord, help me not to give up today. Help me to listen for Your whisper, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
In the Name of Jesus who knows the timing of the miracle I need,
Amen.
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