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 pressed 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 the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves thrust into deep water, as individuals and as a community. Anxiety mounts as we hear reports of rising numbers and threats to our safety. Systems of public welfare we have depended on to protect us are scrambling to understand this new enemy and find a way forward. Privileges we’ve enjoyed without thought are suddenly revoked; necessities disappear from grocery shelves. We cast suspicious eyes on our neighbors when they cough and wonder how long we must endure this period of social distancing.

The lessons of our Bible passage can help us navigate these scary and unpredictable times by re-centering our faith in the One who rules even the tiniest microbes. Why was Simon willing to go back out to deep water, when human reason told him it was a waste of time? To answer, we must remember that Simon had been sitting in his boat, literally at the feet of Jesus, listening to the Son of God preach a sermon about God’s heart and will and authority. 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 needn’t fear 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 and our confidence lies in the One who promises to bring something good and worthwhile from every situation. May we pray that this time of deep water holds a gift for us in learning to trust God moment to moment and finding new ways to live with grace and generosity in the face of unforeseen challenges. Who knows, but we may be amazed at what God’s net brings to the surface in our hearts and lives.

Pray

Lord Jesus, you took human form to show us we have nothing to fear from deep water when we stay close to you and trust that the Word you’ve given us is true. Strengthen our faith during this time of trial. Give us grace and wisdom to be your lamps in a world darkened by uncertainty, that others may turn fearful eyes toward you and find hope.

Reflect

Psalm 69:13-15; Isaiah 27:1; Matthew 8:26-27

Ponder

What is this period of deep water teaching me about my faith in God? In what specific ways might God use this time to help me grow?