In Luke chapter 5, Luke relates the event when after a hard night of fishing and catching nothing Peter had come into the shore. Jesus asks to use the boat to teach from and so Peter agrees aand they put out just a little from the water's edge. Jesus teaches for awhile and then tells Peter to go out to deep water and let down his nets. Peter is not very enthusiastic, but his does and hauls in such a huge catch that he has to get another boat to help him.
There are so many awesome truths contain in this story it is unbelievable.
First is where and when Jesus tells Peter to do the fishing. The way that fishing was done in the Sea of Galilee was that they went out out night and threw out their nets in shallow water. They did it at night because as it cooled off the fish came up to the surface and it was easier to get them in their nets. Yet Jesus tells Peter to do the exact opposite of how he had learned to do it.
Jesus doesn't go with the human focused way of doing things.
In 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Paul writes, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of your were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
Jesus didn't let Peter catch anything the night before and had him to do everything "wrong" on this day so that when he got the huge catch he couldn't point to himself or luck or nature, but only to Jesus as the source of this great catch.
The second truth we see here is why Peter did it.
In Luke 5:5 Peter says, "Master, we've worked hard all night and havn't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
Peter says, "Jesus this is stupid, we have worked hard all night and got nothing and now you are telling me to do something that I know won't work. But because you said to do it this way, I will. What God wants is for us to Just Do What He Says. He is not asking for us to analysis it, reason it out, or list pros and cons. He is telling us here is what I want you to do so just do it. Why? Because I Said So.
In 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel tells King Saul, "Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice. To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams."
We want reasons and explanations and then we will make some cool sacrifice. Jesus wants everyday obedience.
The third truth is seen in Peter's response to the situation.
In Luke 5:8 after they hauled in this fantastic catch Peter falls on his knees and says to Jesus, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" Why does Peter have this reaction? Peter sees the power of Jesus. Peter sees the holiness of Jesus. Peter begins to see Jesus for who He really is - God!
Every time someone in Scripture saw God they had this same reaction.
Moses in Exodus 3:6.
Joshua in Joshua 5:13-15
Nation of Israel in 2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1-5
Peter, James, and John in Matthew 17:5-6
The Apostles in Mark 4:39-41
When we really encounter God we see how far removed we are from His perfect holiness and righteousness. And we fall down in acknowledgment of our sinfulness and His perfection.
I want to to what God wants me to do just because He Said So.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
