When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4 NAS95)
Our work with God really begins with listening to Him. Jesus drove this point home to Peter early in His ministry around Galilee. Jesus spoke to the crowds around the lake and to ensure enough room this time, He asked Peter to let Him teach from his boat. Like a wise man, Jesus had deeper plans (no pun intended) for Peter and they started with him learning to hear and apply Jesus’ request, no matter what his heart told him. Peter managed a few transparent words speaking from his expertise as a fisherman and confessing the failure of the previous night’s catch, yet he acquiesced and complied with Jesus words: he listened.
Amazing things happen when one listens to Jesus. Jesus the rabbi had insight into fishing and Peter grappled with not only the overwhelming catch, but the overwhelming feeling which gripped his heart as a result. Love and life zeroed in on Peter from Jesus, and Peter struggled to state the experiential knowledge burgeoning in his heart of this Rabbi through confessing his brokenness and unworthiness. Pride moved to humility and revelation in Peter’s soul simply by hearing and doing Jesus’ words. Confused awe arose in Peter’s heart, but Jesus kept the love coming. “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” The love Peter experienced would later become the love he’d wear and give away when he’d engage with others. Listening to Jesus, His personal presence, despite any confusion in the heart, became habit for Peter. Yet this story reminds us of how it started for him. Listening, attending and doing what Jesus asks. Jesus all along wanted to cultivate responsiveness to His presence in His disciples. Peter experienced transformation through applying what he heard from Jesus. Maybe it’s the same for us?
For Reflection:
“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” (Psalms 34:11 NAS95)
- What do you believe about Jesus’ desire to interact with you today?
- When you think of God do you consider Him, near or far, loving or demanding, for you or using you? How do you feel about the idea He is engaged and interacting with you now?
