Based on Luke 5: 1-11
The story began with “One day…”
Was it like any other day? It could have been… except that it wasn’t. The things that happened that one day were the kind of things that happens when we are conscious of the presence of Jesus. Things that happen when we are open to the touch of the Master’s hand.
The main characters in this story are Jesus and Peter, although James and John were also present but not integral to the power of the experience. Since the men had just finished a night’s work fishing, they were all busy cleaning there nets. They were partners in their fishing business and had two boats between them. One boat belonged to James and John and the other to Peter.
You can imagine that they were trying to be as inconspicuous as possible since Jesus had come to the lake, followed by a crowd of people. The crowd appeared to be growing by the minute. Rushing to complete his after-fishing tasks, Peter tossed the net into the boat and sat down to listen and relax after a long tiring night.
Jesus walked over to the edge of the water and chose Peter’s boat in which to climb. I'm sure Peter felt at least some satisfaction that Jesus picked his boat.
This is the first recorded instance of Jesus entering into Peter’s personal space and life.
Peter had seen Jesus perform miracles before; healing the sick, turning water into wine and even healing his mother-in-law of a high fever just the night before. But this felt different. Jesus was inviting him to be a part of what He was doing. Peter was sitting with Jesus in Peter’s very own place of business.
"I wonder if He noticed how well my boat is built. He would notice such things since He was a carpenter, you know.”
The next thing that happened that particular “one day” actually brought Peter to the point of personal submission to Jesus.
After the crowd had been spiritually fed and dismissed, Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Put out into deep water, and let down the net for a catch.” And here came the moment of decision that had the power to set a different course for this unrefined, boisterous fisherman.
Peter was tired and in need of sleep. He could have easily said, “I will do it tomorrow, I really will, just let me get a little sleep first.”
Peter must have thought that since Jesus was a carpenter and not a fisherman, He could benefit from a fishing lesson. “Master,” he said, “we’ve been working hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” What Jesus was asking him to do in the daylight was unreasonable since he had already worked as he should; at night. Yet Jesus still waited for Peter to honor His suggestion.
Would Peter obey the words of Jesus? Or would he find an excuse to not have to dirty his nets again; work more hours and attempt to catch fish in the broad daylight when every fisherman knows that the fish can see you in the clears waters of the lake?
In that moment of brief consideration Peter gives up his lesson in fishing and acquiesces. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
And because Peter honored the instruction of Jesus, a miracle was invited to touch the waters of the lake.
Peter shouted at the top of those powerful lungs “Help! Get the other boat! The nets are breaking!
On this immediate testimony of Peter, others were now invited to participate in what Jesus was doing.
When Peter realized the magnitude of Jesus’ love, demonstrated by the overwhelming abundance of product that he had tried so hard to produce and could not, he fell at Jesus’ knees. At the most unlikely time, in the most unlikely way, Jesus said to Peter: “I love you.”
Peter was humbled, in this ever so gentle way, with a gift. A gift of fish that he would soon learn was a symbol of bringing many men to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Not by hard work, not by being careful of what other people think, but by being obedient to the words of Jesus. Not by being exclusive and forming clubs of fellow believers, but by working in the light where the world can see. Not under a bushel, but in the light on top of the hill.
Peter was changed forever that “one day” when he exclaimed with heart and voice, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
Humbled before the mighty power of God and on his knees, the familiar soft tones of calm reached his ears.
"Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."
Not a request, not a hope for the future, but a statement of fact. With no special schooling except what he learned from the words of a most high God, Peter stepped forward, leaving this world behind to cast his net into an unfamiliar lake of people.
But with what happened in that “one day,” not just Peter, but eleven others did not consider anything here on earth worthy of hesitation compared to being a follower of the one who turns everyday into a wonder. And because they were willing to put out into deep waters, they changed the world.
What does Jesus have in store for you this “ONE DAY"?
Would you consider fishing?
copyright 5/19/2015
