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. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:3-4
Simon Peter was a fisherman along with his brother, Andrew. Not only was he a fisherman, the night before Jesus gets into his boat here, Simon had been doing what fishermen do — he had been fishing. In fact, he had been fishing all night. As is sometimes the case (it might actually seem like more often than not), he and his brother, along with their partners in the fishing business, James and John, had caught nothing, even though they had toiled all night long.
So, here is Jesus in Simon’s boat not far from the shore, teaching the people. It is a blessing that Simon was willing to do this for Jesus expecting nothing in return. Simon is setting the stage for a blessing right here. Just to look at the situation you wouldn’t think so. After all, what gain could come from providing a place for Jesus to teach the people; it’s not like fish are going to come right up to the shore and jump into his boat, right?
This has all been good (except the part about them fishing all night and catching nothing, but even that will be turned into a happy ending!), but now it’s about to get even better. You may not always understand God’s ways or why you find yourself with an empty boat when you have been trying so hard to fill it. But, knowing that God is always good and His love for you is everlasting, you can trust Him to bring about a good ending to even the most hopeless of situations.
Now we come to the incredible journey out to the deep. What is so incredible about this journey? No doubt, Peter and Andrew had sailed those same waters countless times. But this time they have Jesus in the boat with them. Not only that, Jesus is piloting the boat, as it were. Even though they are the experienced fishermen, they have relinquished command of their lives (and their vessel) to the Master for this journey.
Jesus does not send them off blindly pursuing some unknown end, but rather tells them specifically where to go (the deep), how to get there (launch out), what to do when they get there (let down your nets) and what the result will be (for a catch). The night before, they had fished to no avail and Peter even brings this fact up to Jesus. But he is missing the entire point — this is not about Peter or John’s fishing skills, this is about the Lord’s supernatural provision for His children.
If you feel sometimes as if you have been fishing all night and yet have nothing to show for it, spinning your wheels and not making any forward progress, it may be that you need to make room for Jesus in your boat. And not just as a passenger, but with Jesus piloting your vessel. He has already given you many great and precious promises so you know the result of obedience to Him and His Word. Finally, it’s not enough just to get Jesus into the boat and even to get out into the deep with Him, you also have to let down your nets for a catch!
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