Because you say so, Jesus
In Luke 5, Jesus directed Simon Peter to go out “for a catch” at a time when they all knew was not a good time to catch fish. Peter and the other fishermen had been up all night without catching anything and just wanted to go home. They were washing their nets because they were done working for the day. They were tired, stinky and hungry. But Jesus didn’t tell Peter, okay, it’s fine, we’ll go out another time when it’s a better time of day, when you have regained your strength. No, Jesus wanted them to go out midday, in the hot sun, when fish aren’t biting because they are way down deep in the waters. Jesus told Peter to go out into the deep waters and let their nets down there. Jesus wanted them to go way out in the deep because there is where they could catch the most fish. There is where the miracles happen, in the deep waters, far away from the comforts of the shore.
Peter didn’t want to do it, but he obeyed because Jesus asked him to. Peter replied to Jesus, “because you say so, I will do it.” And boy was he glad that he did. They let down their nets in those deep waters and caught so many fish that their nets were breaking! They needed their other partners, the other fishermen close by to help them bring in the abundance of fish, so many fish that their nets were breaking too. They were all witnessing this miracle right in front of their eyes. Afterwards, Peter fell to his knees in front of Jesus to confess that he hadn’t really believed Jesus could do this miracle for them. But Jesus, full of grace, mercy and compassion told Peter, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
In this pandemic, are we afraid to step out into any calling or assignment God has for us? Are we willing to leave some things behind to follow Jesus? Have we been asked to do something that we do not understand and do not feel equipped to do in your own strength? We may all feel tired or stinky or hungry. We cannot imagine doing one more thing, letting down one more net. Let’s confess those things to the Lord and ask Him to give us faith that believes in things not seen. Let’s pray and ask for His supernatural strength to accomplish things we cannot do in our own strength. Let’s ask God to help our unbelief as we rely on Him and His word to “let down our nets” for this next season of ministry while we are not gathered on the church campus. Do we trust Him for another catch and can we watch Him do abundantly more than we could have ever dreamed or hoped for?
Because you say so, Jesus, we will listen. Jesus calls each of us, where we are, in whatever situation we find ourselves, and he invites us to use our entire being to bring hope and healing into the world. For some it’s letting go of insecurity and doubt, for others it’s letting go of ego, and for others it’s trusting their own voice to speak up for others. Because you say so, Jesus…
Grace and peace,
Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation