What would you do today if, you found yourself in deep water on a fishing boat, with the one and only Jesus? 

This is part 2 of the story of one such fisherman:

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:1-5 (NIV)

Then Jesus sat down and taught the people from the ship. You know, the ship Jesus saw at the water’s edge. You know, the ship left there by the fisherman, who were busy washing their nets. You know, the ship Jesus got into, the one belonging to Simon.

When Jesus has a sit down in Simon’s ship, Simon’s relationship with Jesus became a platform from which Jesus used to teach the crowd.

When Jesus has a sit down in Simon’s ship, Simon’s workmanship became a podium from which Jesus used to teach the crowd.

When Jesus has a sit down in Simon’s ship, Simon’s dual citizenship became a pulpit from which Jesus used to teach the crowd.

I wonder how Simon Peter felt as Jesus taught the crowd from his ship? I wonder if Simon felt left out as Jesus taught everyone else from his ship?

As Jesus finished speaking, I wonder if Simon was prepared for some, personal, private, side-bar conversation with the one and only Jesus?

As Jesus finished speaking, I wonder if Simon was prepared to put out into deep water? As Jesus finished speaking, I wonder if Simon was prepared to let down the nets? I wonder if Simon was prepared for what was to come next?

When Jesus has a sit down in Simon’s ship, his headship is revealed by the condition of Simon’s heart. For when Jesus gave Simon some super simple crazy instructions, Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 

What would you say to Jesus if you’ve worked hard all the night and have caught no thing and yet he commanded you to go back, out with your clean nets?

When you find yourself in deep water with Jesus, remember your blessing is not the catch. When you find yourself in deep water with Jesus, remember your blessing is not the draw. When you find yourself in deep water with Jesus, remember your blessing is not the fish.

When he had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5: 4-5 (NIV)

And when they had this done. They inclosed a great multitude of fishes and their net break.

But that is not the end of the story, the fish were so great in number that they had to call their partners, from the other ship to come and help them. The catch was so great that both ships began to sink.

Can you imagine, a physical blessing so great for so many?

They had been working all night when Jesus asked this one man named Simon to trust him completely and because of Simon’s obedience to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, many were blessed.

Many were blessed by the obedience of one.

Our obedience may cause others to be blessed and follow Jesus, for I’m sure many in the crowd were still standing and watching for they were pressed upon him. And as we all know, the crowds they love to linger.

But yet and still, this too, is not the end of the story.

For Simon Peter was astonished, as were all that were with him. So astonished and awed, to the point that Simon and his partners left everything to follow the one and only Jesus.

Reference: Luke 5: 1-11