Teaching Point: Obedience = Rewards

This week’s story out of Luke 5:1-11. Amazing! There was a time in history when crowds of people would gather around the Lord to hear Him speak the very words of God. Jesus is being crowded out - closer and closer to the water’s edge He is pushed – so He gets in the boat to teach the people. I understand - He needs His space! These eager listeners were so hungry for the words Jesus spoke, they couldn’t get close enough to Him! Somewhere in time we’ve lost that passion for the words of God, and Satan rejoices.

“Put out a bit deeper, Peter, and start fishing!”, Jesus says. (vs. 4). Peter responds with a: been there, done that. “We’ve already tried that, Jesus!” and then says, “But because you say so, I’ll do it!” (vs. 5). What “But Lord’s” are you speaking today? “But Lord, I’ve already tried!”, “But Lord, I can’t say that!”, “But Lord, not today!”, “But Lord, I’m too busy!” , We’ve all spoken our own “But Lord…” So today, let’s try what Peter said, “But because You say so, I’ll obey!” Here’s what one commentator said: “The Lord did not say how deep [to take the boat]. The depth of the water into which we sail depends upon how completely we have cut our ties to shore, the greatness of our need, and our anxieties about the future. Yet the fish [the rewards] were to be found in the deep, not the shallow water.”

Read the rest of the story: Tired and weary Peter, already up all night long from working and fishing, yet catching nothing, had put his nets away (vs. 2 – they had been washing their nets because the fishing trip was over! Fishing at night = selling fresh fish the next morning= making a living.) Jesus says, ‘Go out deeper, [Peter] and let your nets down again’. What is your answer? Have you been up all night? Are you tired and weary? Have you already tried it once and reaped nothing? Jesus says, ‘Put out into deep water [your name], and let down the nets for a catch.”

Today is a new day. Let’s listen to God’s Word and then do as Peter did: “But because you say so…I’ll obey.” Move out to the deep waters in faith, gather the rewards, share it with some friends (vs. 7), then fall at the Lord’s feet (vs. 8) in humble submission at the love He has for us and the care He has for our daily tasks (and livelihood).