Launch Out Into The Deep

Luke 5:4-11

A multitude pressed in and around Jesus to hear the word of God. There were two boats close by, so He got into one of the boats and continued to teach the people.

When he finished speaking, He addressed Simon Peter, the fisherman, who probably owned one of the boats. Jesus said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

The Lord wants to bring in a "catch," a harvest greater than we can imagine!  There will be times when He will tell us also to "launch out into the deep," to trust Him at His word, to do things that may seem to be a bit risky.

Simon answered with natural thinking, “We have worked hard all night, laboring out of necessity. We are expert fishermen, yet we caught nothing last night. But You are a great Bible Teacher and out of respect for You, we will let down the nets, even though You probably don't know how to fish.” 

When they had done what Jesus said, they caught a quantity of fish so large that their nets began to break!  Both boats were so weighed down with the catch of fish that they began to sink.

This great haul illustrates how God wants to bless His people, abundantly, above and beyond all that we ask or think.

Simon knew he was unworthy to be blessed so much by Jesus, but Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, from now on, you will be catching men.”  

Jesus would take these fishermen and transform them into fishers of men. When they made it to land, they forsook everything to follow Him.

For you, your natural labor can become a training ground for the spiritual work which He has in store for you. Are you ready to launch out into the deep? You will need to trust Jesus completely as you begin to cooperate with Him in the great work of fishing for men!

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