All Weekly Sharpening Posts

March 31, 2022

Because You Say So

When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon Peter 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

This scene takes place moments before Peter, James, and John would leave everything to follow Jesus as his first disciples.

I would love to know what Peter thought when Jesus told him to let the nets down for a catch.

“We fished all night and didn’t catch anything…what a waste of time.”

“I’m exhausted. Last night was a disappointment after a lot of work. I’m ready to go home.”

“The nets are drying; can’t you see that, Jesus? I’m obviously done fishing for the day.”

We know that Peter wasn’t gung-ho to let down his nets because he felt the need to push back a little.

He made sure Jesus knew, along with everyone else, that they had worked hard all night and didn’t catch anything.

Fortunately, Peter didn’t completely dismiss Jesus’ request and the results were life-changing.

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. -Luke 5:6-11

I wonder how many blessings I’ve missed because I didn’t respond to my Savior’s leading in my life.

Maybe it didn’t make sense to me.

Maybe I was too tired.

Maybe I thought I knew better.  

I believe my life and service to the Lord would change and grow significantly if I responded with childlike faith, fueled by the words, “Because you say so.”

Shouldn’t that be enough?

This would require me to embrace the unknown or unexpected. There would be times when I would have to dismiss what is rational and obey at the Lord’s prompting.

It doesn’t always have to make sense to me. Peter and his partners worked hard all night to catch fish! It didn’t make sense to try again at that moment.

“But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Is there an area in your life where you are hesitant to “let down your nets?”

Are you guilty of elevating what makes sense in your mind over what the Lord tells you to do?

Is “because you say so,” sufficient for you to take that step of faith?

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Awesome opportunities coming up for River West Men, including our Men’s Breakfast on April 23rd.