Scripture

Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Consider

This passage catches us in the middle of a story. Jesus has been preaching the Word of God to a crowd of listeners. They’ve press in on him so hard that he must climb into Simon’s boat and finish his preaching from there. Immediately after, he tells Simon to go back out to the deep water and try his luck at fishing once more. Although he has been fishing all night without success, Simon obeys. To everyone’s astonishment, he and his partners catch so many fish that their nets begin to break, and their boats nearly sink.

In Old Testament writings, “the deep” was a literary image often used in contrast to God’s created world of order and goodness. The deep was a scary, chaotic place where monsters lived. The deep was dark and risky, yet Jesus showed his control over it by walking across its surface on one occasion and by stilling its threatening waves on another. Like so much of what Jesus said, the directive he gave to Simon Peter held a profound question: “If I send you out into deep water, Simon, even if you are afraid or skeptical, will you trust Me for the result?”

In our own lives, relationships that have been breached by hurtful exchanges or long periods of angry silence can feel like deep water. When we hear Jesus telling us to “go and be reconciled,” we may find excuses to stay in the shallows where we feel safe and confident. We may be afraid of the deep because we are vulnerable and the deep is unpredictable.

Venturing into the deep may mean asking for forgiveness, or offering forgiveness that we fear will be rejected. It may mean taking a step toward reconciling that we are too angry or sorrowful or bitter to attempt. The deep water of a relationship may reach down into dark memories of abuse or abandonment, of mental illness or cruelties so hurtful that we spend our energies avoiding them rather than confronting and healing them.

It’s important to consider why Simon agreed to go back out and fish after a night of fruitless effort. Simon had been sitting in his boat, literally at the feet of Jesus, and listening to the Son of God preach a sermon about God’s heart and will. Immediately after its conclusion, when Jesus challenged him, Simon responded with faith instead of excuses: “Because you say so, Lord, I’ll do it. I’ll go and trust you for the outcome.”

When God directs us into deep water, we can obey because we know the Master who brings order out of chaos and overcomes darkness with truth and light. Like Simon, we can put out into a risky situation when the Word of God is strong on our hearts. Even if a relationship seems hopeless, we can do our part to reconcile and leave the outcome in God’s hands. Who knows, but we may be amazed at what God’s net brings to the surface!

Pray

FATHER, you know the dark secrets and hurts that keep me distant from certain people in my life. Give me wisdom to know when you are asking me to put out into deep water and take the first steps toward mending a broken relationship. Lead me with your truth and make my course clear so that I will be safe.

Reflect

Psalm 69:14; Isaiah 27:1; Matthew 8:26-27

Ponder

Do you have a deep-water relationship in your life? How can you know if God is asking you to venture out and put down your net?