By On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11 ESVST)
Peter’s response to Jesus’ request to head out fishing is wonderful and should be the model of our obedience. Peter had been out fishing all night long with no success. Jesus climbs aboard Peter’s fishing boat and begins to teach the people on shore. After some time, Jesus asks Peter to head back out fishing. Peter responds “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” From all human wisdom it seems like a fruitless endeavor to go back out and fish at the request of a man who certainly was not a professional fisherman. Yet Peter responds in faith to the request of Jesus.
How many times do you think you know something better to do with your life than what Jesus has requested of you from his word? Are we willing to lay aside our human notions for the commands of our Master? After all, what sense does it make to claim allegiance to a master that you do not obey?
Leading Family Devotions 