Reading: Luke 4-5
Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net(Luke 5:4-5).
Simon (Peter) and his partners, James and John, had been fishing all night. By the time morning broke, they still had caught nothing and were tired and discouraged. Despite this, Simon readily agreed when Jesus approached and asked to use one of the boats to teach from. After all, this man had healed his mother-in-law with only a word (4:38-39). Simon would have been excited by the opportunity to hear more from the teacher of whom his brother Andrew had spoken so highly. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ (John 1:41). When Jesus finished with His lesson, He instructed Simon to head out to deep water and cast his net. For the first time that day, Simon had conflicting feelings. As an experienced fisherman, Simon knew that the sun's heat would have driven all the fish beyond his reach, and he would gain nothing if he let down the net. Even so, he agreed to do as Jesus had directed.
Many hold these verses up as a shining example of Simon’s faith in his Lord, but a closer look reveals that not to be the case. Simon did not act out of a faithful belief that Jesus would provide. Indeed, he believed the action to be pointless, but nevertheless, he willingly followed the directive out of respect for Jesus. Only after the netting of two boatloads of fish (where logically there should have been none) did Simon begin to perceive the godly authority of Jesus over all things. 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 was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken (Luke 5:8-9). That perception enabled respect to turn into trust—trust, which in turn, the Lord transformed into faith.
Over the course of our studies this month, we have discussed in length the truth that faith is a gift from God (Acts 3:16; Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; II Pet. 1:1) and how it is impossible for a person to bring him or herself to faith. Yet, as we see in today’s reading, it is not merely possible but also highly desirable for us to put ourselves in a position to receive it. The more we choose to follow God, respecting His authority even when we privately believe it won’t make any difference, the more we will prepare our hearts to embrace the truth when it is revealed to us.
God is eager to impart this gift to us, just as He did to Simon Peter. Simon’s faith was revealed to him in the presence of the living Word, Jesus Christ. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). God has promised that ours is available from the same source, the living Gospel contained in His written Word. Only by fully opening ourselves to hearing the Word will we be able to absorb its life-changing message. As we willingly approach God with respect and trust, we will soon discover His blessing of faith.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God(Rom. 10:17).
Thought for Today: God can and does bless the faithful, but to build our faith on the expectation of those blessings reveals a flimsy foundation.
Cross Reference: For Luke 4:4: See Deut. 8:3. Luke 4:8: See Deut. 6:13-14. Luke 4:10-11: See Ps. 91:11-12. Luke 4:12: See Deut. 6:16. Luke 4:18-19: See Is. 61:1-2. Luke 5:14: See Lev. 14:1-32.
Word Studies:4:29 brow of the hill = edge of a cliff; 5:9 draught = catch; 5:27 a publican = a tax collector for Rome; 5:36 rent = tear.
Pray for Government OfficialRep. Patrick McHenry (NC) • Country: Ethiopia (96,633,458) Eastern Africa • Major Languages: Amharic, Tigrinya • Some religious discrimination • 43.5% Ethiopian Orthodox; 33.9% Muslim; 18.6% Protestant; 2.6% Traditional; 0.7% Roman Catholic; 0.7% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His loving-kindness and faithfulness (Ps. 138:2).