Deep

Luke 5:1-7 (The Message)

Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God.

He noticed two boats tied up.

The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon's and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets."

The fishermen were going about their work. Minding their own business. Scrubbing out their nets.

This scene reminds me of something from a cheesy 70's police movie. I've always wanted to "chase the bad guy," by running up to a helpful citizen (who just happens to be driving a porsche), flash my badge and commandeer their vehicle for the public good.

"Police business!" Then shove the unsuspecting owner out of the way, jump in and floor it. Cue the black smoke and screeching tires.

Jesus does something like that with the fishermen's boats. He needs a pulpit, after all.

Only he doesn't leave them in the dust, he takes them along for the ride. And then thanks them for their faithfulness in a way all his own.

"Put out into the deep water."

Peter had reasons not to...he was tired, they'd been at it all night. There were no fish out there to be had.

But here's the thing...he did it anyway. He knew enough of Jesus at this point to know that, "if you say so," that's good enough for him.

What does Peter teach us about obedience? What resource do we have that Jesus might commandeer today? Let's hope he does...because giving what he needs, and doing what he says, always comes with a blessing. We don't want to miss it.

Father God, we pray that you would take whatever we have today that can further the building of the kingdom. Give us hearts that trust, even when we don't understand what you're doing.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.