Let Down Your Nets

I heard a rhetorical question the other day that really got my mind spinning.

In a podcast hosted by a well-known, respected Bible teacher, the guest was discussing a story found in Luke 5. In it, Jesus was preaching to a crowd on the shores of Lake Gennesaret when “he saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.” (verses 5: 2-3)

The story goes on to say that “when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.'” (verse 4)

The guest explained that this was a counter-intuitive request for Jesus to make of Simon. Fishing was done in the early morning hours, when the water near the surface of the lake was cool. At this point in the day, the surface waters had warmed considerably, forcing the fisher toward the bottom of the lake in search of cooler temperatures–way beyond the reach of Simon’s nets. What He was asking of Simon was an exercise in futility, something Simon, as a well-seasoned fisherman, understood.

And yet, when we read the story, we tend to focus on Simon’s response (and understandably so): “‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will let down the nets.'” (verse 5)

The amazing faith this man showed at this particular moment. Keep in mind–this was before he had been called to be a disciple. Before being called Jesus’s “rock” and before witnessing so many of the miracles that would define Jesus’s earthly ministry. For a man weary from a fruitless night on the job to take up his nets one more time, no matter how ineffective he understood the exercise to be, simply because Jesus said so?

Incredible.

But the guest on this particular podcast asked something I’d never thought before:

“Why didn’t Jesus just tell the fish to get into the boat?”

The guest said it with a laugh, a kind of tongue-in-cheek lark as she moved on to more important topics. But I couldn’t get it out of my head. Because it’s a good point. After all, we learn all the way back in Genesis that God created all things, a sentiment echoed all throughout Scripture that “for in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16) The Book of Job says “but ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7-10)

And not only did God create all things; He has dominion over all things, a fact we see illustrated so beautifully in Matthew when, during a story, Jesus “rebuked the winds and the sea, an there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:26b)

All of creation is held in God’s hand. All of creation bows to His commands.

So, if He wanted to prove something to Peter, why didn’t He just tell the fish to get into the boat? It sure would have saved a lot of effort, time, and sweat on Simon’s part and, quite possibly, would have been just as effective miracle-wise. I mean, if I had been there and witnessed a bunch of fish jumping into a boat on command, I most certainly would have sat up straighter and taken notice. In fact, one might argue it might have been more effective; without the need to push off shore and go out into deep waters, this particular miracle could have been seen by the hundreds gathered around, listening to Jesus teach.

And yet that wasn’t what He did.

Instead, He told Simon to push off shore and let down his nets again. Simon obeyed and “when they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” (Luke 5: 6-7)

Knowing Jesus doesn’t make mistakes or do anything haphazardly, we can know that the way He chose to perform this miracle was just as intentional as the why. Yes, He could have just commanded the fish to hop into the boat, but He didn’t. Instead, He had Simon become an active participant in the event; the miracle would occur…but only if Simon engaged with what Jesus was telling him to do.

I think Jesus chose to do this particular miracle in this particular way because He was preparing Simon for his calling of discipleship. Jesus was, in essence, telling Simon that He was going to be doing amazing things–and He wanted Simon to be His partner in it. Simon’s humility and willingness to obey–even when it didn’t make any sense–was the first step in a lifetime of walking with Jesus, both before and after His crucifixion.

And you know what?

Jesus wants the same thing for us.

God is still doing amazing work all around….and He wants us to be a part of it! He doesn’t want us to sit on the sidelines, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for a few Old Testament miracles to fall from the sky (or jump in our boats). He wants us to obey, to engage, and to participate; then and only then will our eyes be open to His presence, active and moving, in every facet of our lives. You see, God can work in any way He wants. He created the world, after all. And yet He chooses to do so much of His work through us! We get to be partners with the God of the universe. What an amazing gift!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there! Let down those nets! You never know what fish you’ll catch–or what miracles you’ll witness–when you simply bow before Jesus and, in humility, offer Him a “because you said so, I will.”