When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 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.” (Luke 5:4-5)
Simon Peter and several of the other disciples had fished all night without success. In the morning, Jesus wanted to use their boat as a makeshift pulpit. So many people crowded to hear Jesus at the shore of the lake that it was best for the Savior to sit in the boat and teach.
Then Jesus told Simon Peter, launch out into the deep and let down your nets. After Jesus had finished teaching, He wanted to do something good for Simon, who had lent Him the use of the boat. Peter could not give something to Jesus without Jesus giving even more back to him.
As far as we can tell, Jesus was in the boat as He directed them. Jesus was in the boat in verse 3, so it seems He was also in the boat in verse 4. His presence gave the disciples confidence. Jesus was right there with His disciples as He told them to row out and give it another try.
With the greatest respect and using the title Master, Simon Peter explained to Jesus that it didn’t make much sense to fish during the day when the sunlight on the water drove the fish deeper. They had toiled all night and not caught anything, there wasn’t much reason to expect they would catch anything in the brightness of day.
Then Simon Peter said something wonderful: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net. Even though it didn’t make a lot of sense, Peter would try. I like to imagine the excuses Simon Peter could have made.
“I worked all night and I’m tired.”
“I know a lot more about fishing than a carpenter does.”
“The best fishing is at night, not in the daytime.”
“All these crowds and loud teaching have scared the fish away.”
“We already washed our nets.”
“Jesus may know religion, but He doesn’t know fishing.”
Instead, Simon Peter said: at Your word I will let down the net. This was Peter’s great statement of faith, and trust in the word of Jesus. Peter’s faith was rewarded, and he pulled in a huge catch of fish.
God’s people throughout all ages have lived and gone forth with this confidence in the word of Jesus. We can all say to Jesus:
At Your word, there was light.
At Your word, the sun, moon, stars, and planets were created.
At Your word life came to this earth.
At Your word creation is held together and sustained.
At Your word empires rise and fall; history unfolds His great plan.
It’s frustrating to work with no results. When you are in the place, trust the word of Jesus and let Him direct your service.
Click here for David’s commentary on Luke 5
Click Here for Daily Devotionals from David on Apple Podcasts