In a continuation from last week we must launch out
into the deep and find the faith to leave the shore. And it
came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he
stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And
saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them,
and were washing their nets. Now when
he had left speaking, he said unto Simon,
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master,
we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word
I will let down the net. And when they
had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke
5:1-6
Heed Christ’s Command
The phrase in this passage that grabs me every
time I read it is Peter’s statement, “At
thy word, I will.” Peter knew every
reason—and they were good ones—not to obey Jesus. But under the direct command
of Jesus, Peter turned from his logic and staked everything on Jesus’
word. Peter’s obedience to Christ wasn’t
the reckless abandon our culture lauds. It wasn’t the result of throwing logic
to the wind and following his inner dreams.
Peter’s decision to launch out was purposed
obedience. It was the result of a man who had unmistakably heard Christ’s
command and calculated that God’s power was greater than his limitations. How do we develop this level of faith? How do
we know when and where to launch out? Romans 10:17 provides a clear
answer: “So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of
God.”
Do you hear God’s Word? Do you read it, study
it, memorize it, listen to it as it’s preached?
A casual observer might conclude that ministry in the twenty-first
century has advanced beyond the Word of God. We give such attention to social
media, critics, the Internet, talk shows, popular opinion, and best-selling
books that we sometimes neglect the only source we really need—the Word of God. “At thy
word”—it was the stake on which Peter hung his decision to launch out. We
must come to a place where we believe and put into practice the knowledge that
our God can do anything, but fail. This knowledge will enable us to stay the
course, no matter the circumstances or distractions swirling about us.
Prepare for a Miracle
When Peter launched out, he didn’t leave his
half-washed nets on the shore. He let them down into the water “for a draught.” Launching out into the
deep was only the first half of Jesus’ command. Letting down the nets was just
as important. We can go through motions
of obedience, but if we don’t believe that “He is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6), we don’t have real faith.
Even after the initial launch, our faith may
falter. Satan has two primary tactics for neutralizing our obedience to Christ—
discouragement and fear. If he can snag us by either method, we forsake faith
and return to human reasoning.
Christians who set out for the deep but then lose their forward momentum
for Christ become confused in their walk with God. They don’t realize it, but
their navigation system is only programed to work by faith; it freezes when
consulted by fear.
In such times, we do well to remember the
words of Jesus to a troubled father, “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark
5:36).
It’s Not about More Boats
If you didn’t already know this story, you
might guess that when Peter saw the “great multitude of fishes” in his net, he
would let out a great shout and eagerly calculate his new wealth. On the contrary, Peter’s response was
startling: “He fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I
am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished.”
Peter was overwhelmed that God would use him.
Warren Wiersbe says of this moment, “Peter was humbled, not by his night of
failure but by his astounding success; this is a mark of real character. If
success humbles you, then failure will build you up.” As Peter bowed in the
presence of Jesus, the Lord brought it all together for Peter, “Fear
not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
In that moment, something clicked in Peter’s
mind. If he was unsure about his life purpose before, he wasn’t now. No longer
would he focus on business expansion. He wouldn’t be pricing new boats or
scouting out more partners. From this moment forward, he would be a fisher of
men. On the behalf of Christ Himself, Peter would call people to their Saviour.
This is why we launch out! It is not for our
glory or to fulfill our quest for adventure. We launch out to catch men—to
connect hearts with the invitation of Christ. We launch out to preach the
gospel—to tell broken, shattered people that there is salvation through the
blood of Jesus.
Launching out isn’t about expanding our
reputation or filling our ego. It is a decision to live fully for the glory of
God by leading lost souls to Christ.
Will You Catch Men?
Many Christians are eager to launch a new
business, career, hobby, or relationship. But few are surrendered to launch out
in response to Jesus’ command, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers
of men” (Matthew 4:19).
Many
Christians see the spiritual need surrounding them. Few have the faith to take
action. Many have access to God’s Word and sense the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
Not so many launch out at His word.
Jesus is still calling His disciples to launch
out and let down their nets for a draught. It is still possible to be part of a
great work of God. It is still plausible that the Holy Spirit could bring
revival to our spiritually darkened nation. It is still God’s will to use you
in the salvation of others.
But you can only be a fisher of men if you
will follow Christ with unrestrained obedience—if you will pull up your anchor
and untie your rope from the dock.
Would you like to catch a draught of fish? Do you
wonder how God might bless your obedience? The moment you launch out at His
word, the possibilities become as endless as the horizon.
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