Put Out into Deep Water

As we learned last week, Jesus had said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also…” with determination. With such a determination in his heart Jesus traveled around preaching in the synagogues of Judea. But Jesus wanted to call and raise up disciples so that his gospel message might go well beyond Judea or Samaria and reach us, who are living in sunny Southern California. We can imagine, as Jesus became more and more popular, several people started to follow Jesus around; however, as far as their commitment to Jesus is concerned, they were shaky. In this passage, we’d like to think about how Jesus strengthens his relationship with them. Especially, we’d like to think about the relationship between Jesus and Simon Peter. How could Simon Peter commit his life to Jesus and lay it down for the sake of preaching the gospel? Jesus’ relationship with Simon Peter began on the shores of Lake Gennesaret.

First, Jesus teaches the crowd from Simon’s boat (1-3). Let’s read verse 1. “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God..." The author Luke is the only one who calls this lake the “Lake of Gennesaret.” We probably know it better as the “Sea of Galilee.” Gennesaret is adjacent to Capernaum. Jesus was not in the town, but by the lake. Jesus’ teaching ministry had gone beyond the boundaries of the synagogues. What about this crowd?

According to the English Standard Version this verse reads, “On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God.” This shows how eager they were to hear the word of God as they were crowding around Jesus, pressing in on him. Obviously they had an urgent need. Perhaps they did not have a place to live or no money to live on, which is the often the case nowadays for us in our society. For sure many had health problems and came from broken families. Maybe that was why they came to Jesus, but we don’t know exactly. But the author Luke does emphasize that they were now listening to the word of God eagerly. This is why Jesus was sent: to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. This shows us that the good news of the kingdom of God is the most basic and greatest need of people in every generation. Why? Did the word of God satisfy their hunger? Did it take away the harsh rule of the Romans who oppressed them? Did it lighten the burden of their daily labor? Well, it didn’t solve their marriage issues, or the fact that they were single or unemployed? It did not solve those issues? Then, what was it that made them eager to listen so attentively to Jesus?

Obviously they were drawn to Jesus’ teaching like a deer who pants for water in a stream. But, why? Luke says, “...and listening to the word of God.” It’s because the word of God is what people truly need. Jesus taught this earlier, when he said: “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’” (Lk 4:4) In John 3, Jesus meets with Nicodemus. This guy seemed to have everything: wealth, position, honor, religion, and great learning. Yet he was not happy. He could not see the kingdom of God. He could not enter the kingdom of God. Through Jesus’ words, Nicodemus came to know the truth about himself. In Jesus’ words, there was hope for Nicodemus. He became a secret follower of Jesus. The word of God is Jesus himself. (Jn 1:1)

He promises every one of us: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn 6:35) There was a woman who was thirsty. She had wanted to marry and enjoy a happy family life, but after having married five times with five different husbands, her dream of a happy marriage and family vanished, a lazy bum like boyfriend moved in to live with her instead. But Jesus met her at Jacob’s well. Jesus’ words led her to know her fundamental problem, and she could meet Jesus as her Savior. As a result, she became an evangelist to her hometown people and such a blessed woman.

We must realize, more than anything else like a job or food, people need one word of God, because through the word of God people are not only saved by Jesus but their hearts and lives become totally changed through accepting one word of God. So, Jesus knew the importance of teaching the word of God, and he taught the people the word of God absolutely.

Now let us consider the relationship between Jesus and Simon Peter. Let’s now read verse 2 altogether. “He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.”

Jesus, while he was teaching, noticed these two boats, and the fishermen who owned them. They were not able to listen to his teaching, as they were busy washing their nets. This was proper work procedure that had to be finished before they could go home. Look at verse 3. “He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.” Jesus knew Simon. He had healed his mother-in-law, and had stayed at his house; Jesus had turned Simon’s house into a medical trauma clinic for the people of Capernaum one night. Many people had come to Jesus who had various kinds of sickness, and Jesus laid his hands on each of them and healed them. These events must have impressed and moved Simon’s heart to some degree. Now, Jesus asked Simon to put out a little from shore. Why might Jesus have asked this? Let us consider two reasons.

First of all, Jesus needed Simon’s boat in order to teach the people. If he were on a boat, away from the shore, he would be able to teach the people better without the crowds of people having to press against him and interfere with his speech or the projection of his voice. We learn from Jesus that when an environment is not favorable to teaching the Bible, we must not give up, but look for a way by faith. Though our Bible study may seem small in number, I believe many of us have found different places at times to teach the Bible. When a group study room was not available, we found a bench outside to study on. When we couldn’t meet at the center to study the Bible, some of us opened our homes to invite a student there to study the Bible. Sometimes we might have studied in a restaurant.

I still remember the time when we didn’t have this room to worship in because the floors in the living and dining rooms had to be replaced, and it lasted 2 weeks. But at that time we did not despair but found the way to worship and went and found a room at CSUN by faith. Secondly, Jesus was interested in Simon. Simon was busy with his fishing job. He seemed to be too busy to slow down and listen to Jesus’ teaching, but Jesus really wanted him to listen. Jesus got involved in Simon’s busy life by stepping into his boat. Jesus chose Simon. Up until this time, Simon chose to follow Jesus the way he sought fit.

He also chose to invite Jesus to his home, and had asked him to heal his mother-in-law, but now Jesus was stepping into Simon’s life according to Jesus’ conditions. What would Simon do? Did he say, “Not now, Jesus. I’m too busy with these nets here. I can make time for you after I finish work, maybe…but not now, please understand my situation, Master?”

Did he say that? No, he did not. Instead he obeyed Jesus willingly and took a break from his work. Because of Simon’s willingness to obey and to take a break from his busy work, Jesus was able to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. But Simon had to make a decision to obey. Jesus stepping into Simon’s boat makes us realize that Jesus wants to step into our boats too. It isn’t always the most convenient time for us, when Jesus wants to come into our boat and intervene into our lives. We might feel pressured as we are faced with the decision to obey Jesus or not. But the question is, will we put out a little from shore, and allow Jesus to preach the good news of the kingdom of God?

If washing our fishing nets has a higher priority than obeying Jesus, then obviously we will not put out a little from shore and allow Jesus to preach. Our decision to obey or not reflects our attitude towards Jesus. Some of us put work or school study as the highest priority. Bible study and listening to Jesus seem to have a lesser priority. Practically speaking, school study or work becomes their master. But Jesus understands.

He gets involved, like he got involved with Simon; through Bible study or a Bible conference or a friend, suddenly we discover that Jesus is in our boat, with a large crowd of people on our campus thirsty and eagerly needing to hear the word of life. Jesus asks us, “Would you put out a little from shore? Would you change your plan to do what I want you to do, even this small task? Are you going to make a good environment for Jesus to use? It can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Jesus for you. It certainly was for Simon Peter because he made a decision to obey Jesus.

Second, there was a miraculous catch of fish. (4-10a). What do you think of when you hear the word boat? Considering my whole life, the only type of boat I’ve been in was a canoe and a kayak when I was a freshman in college. We can only imagine how Simon’s boat must have looked like. Perhaps it was similar to the first century-A.D. wooden boat that was recovered from the mud off the northwest shore of the lake of Galilee in 1986. This boat was a large boat, with a depth of only about 4 feet, 27 feet in length and almost 8 feet in width. With such a large boat, it is no wonder all 12 of Jesus’ disciples including Jesus could fit into one of these boats. Let’s read verse 4. “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’”

After Jesus had finished preaching the good news of the kingdom of God to the crowds, including the fishermen in the boat, we might think he might say, "Okay, Captain Simon take us back to the shore now. Let’s go back home, Captain Simon!” But Jesus did not say this. Instead Jesus says, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” The footnote in the Bible mentions that the verb for "let down" is written in plural form in Greek. This meant Jesus wanted them all to participate in the catch of fish. Jesus, though he was busy teaching the crowds of people, noticed the situation of Simon and the other fishermen. He saw that their nets were empty. Jesus had compassion on them. He wanted to serve them. This means Jesus is not indifferent to our situation. We must listen and trust in Jesus.

Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water.” This command of Jesus is aimed at Simon along, however. Simon had already obeyed and put out a little from shore, but now Jesus was challenging him to go deeper. Jesus wasn’t happy with part-time followers. Jesus humbly asks us to go deeper with him in our individual relationships. When I was at the recent staff meeting, I found myself convicted through the Bible studies because of my poor, shallow relationship with Jesus nowadays. I came to realize the importance of having a healthy relationship with Jesus through abundant prayer and Bible teaching and to renew Jesus’ grace in the process. Jesus’ words, “put out into deep water,” should also convict us.

They are challenging words to which we need to respond to and grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus. So, whatever our situation may be like, Jesus is telling us right now, "'Put out into deep water." How will we respond to his command? How did Simon respond to Jesus’ command?

Let’s read verse 5 to find out. “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.’” Simon calls Jesus "Master" which is similar to saying "Sir!" This shows us Simon trusted Jesus’ authority over his life. He mentions how hard he and his companions had worked all night long and had caught nothing. They were most likely very much discouraged. Simon didn’t expect another try to catch fish would bring better results, since it was now day time; and fishermen know it’s best to fish at night, not during the day. But this was now the situation when Jesus gave them the command to put out into deep water and to let down the nets for a catch. But Simon was discouraged, tired, and ready to go home after working so hard. Simon was not motivated to do what Jesus asked. So, why does Simon agree? Simon says, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” This shows Simon honors Jesus’ word above his own word or thought, because he knew it was the word of God that must be obeyed. Simon didn't say, "We will let down the nets," but, he said, “I will let down the nets.”

This shows us Simon’s decision was personal, and that he was willing to obey Jesus’ word: “Put out into deep water and let down the nets.” Actually this act of obedience required faith and trust in Jesus, who gave the command. What happened when they obeyed?

Verses 6 and 7 read, “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” It was an amazing event. With the nets beginning to break and both boats beginning to sink, they all including Simon witnessed such a miraculous catch of fish. Simon must have forgotten his failure to catch a single fish the night before. Now, all of them had something to brag about when they had to face their wives. What compassion Jesus had for these men and their families, and for their lack of self-esteem. Sometimes we may think Jesus isn’t interested in our daily life problems, but this is not true. Jesus is very much interested and has compassion on us. He wants to get involved in our lives to lift us up and build up our faith as long as we give him the chance. Jesus wants to be the Lord over every aspect of our lives, whether we are at work or at the library studying or simply at home taking care of our children, Jesus wants to step into our lives and get involved and help us. The beginning of a meaningful relationship we see here between Jesus and Simon is the kind of relationship Jesus is hoping to have with each of us.

When we experience Jesus’ power to drive out evil spirits from our inner hearts, then we proclaim Jesus as Lord over our lives realizing that the the kingdom of God has come to us. The secret to happiness during our entire life is to yield to Jesus’ Lordship in every aspect of our lives. How did Simon and his companions respond to such a catch of fish?

Let’s read verses 8 to 10a. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!' 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.” They were astonished. This did not happen by chance. They all realized that it was indeed a miracle. The author Luke wrote: “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees.”

Luke calls him Simon Peter, the name Jesus gave him. This was a turning point in Simon Peter’s life. Despite the miraculous catch of fish, Simon did not focus on the fish. He was focused on Jesus. The miraculous catch of fish did not distract him from Jesus, as some become distracted in the time of God’s blessing. Simon Peter said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” Simon Peter recognized Jesus as Lord. This event opened Simon Peter’s eyes to see who Jesus is: the Lord over all men, even the fish in the sea. Jesus is the Lord God. But Peter’s response is negative: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” Perhaps compared to others, like James and John, Simon might have thought that he was better.

But before the Lord, Simon could discover who he really was; he was a sinful man. Although he became a professional fisherman by working hard, he did not live as though God were the living God. When he realized Jesus is God, he saw how sinful he is before God. Although his obedience to Jesus had resulted in a miraculous catch, he did not grow proud. He gave all glory to Jesus as Lord and at the same time found himself to be a sinner.

Jesus had said, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” When Peter responded by obeying Jesus' words of command, he met the living God there on his boat. His life was changed forever. This shows us how much Jesus wants to get involved in our lives. But he has a greater goal in mind than just blessing us with a miraculous catch of fish. He wants to reveal himself to us as he is, and to reveal who we are before him. Without this we cannot lay down the foundation of having a right relationship with Jesus. And right now, Jesus wants to get involved in your life even through this message. Can you hear his voice? “Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” How will you respond to him?

Third, Jesus calls Simon to be his disciple. (10b-11) Let’s read verse 10b. “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’” The Today’s New International version of the Bible says, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Again, Jesus focuses on Simon. This shows us that Jesus’ calling in our lives to live as his disciple is personal. Jesus is Lord; Simon is a sinner. Simon had every reason to be afraid because of his sin. He deserved nothing but condemnation before the Holy God. But Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid.” Who else besides the Lord God can tell us not to be afraid?

Jesus came to call sinners, just like Simon. Jesus embraces Simon with comfort and hope. Why did Jesus have such compassion and hope for Simon? Jesus had hope for Peter on the basis of the gospel. Simon would now live as a fisherman for Jesus. Being Jesus’ disciple is not like our choice of picking a career or a major. Due to our sins, we are powerless, fearful, full of failures and incapable of serving Jesus. But there is comfort and hope for sinners in the gospel. Jesus forgives our sins and delivers us from our enemies; he enables us to live as his disciple by his one-sided grace and love. In the gospel of Jesus there is hope for us to serve Jesus as his disciples today. The Prophet Zechariah’s song of praise explains this purpose in Jesus’ coming. Zechariah had proclaimed saying: “Praise be to the Lord the God of Israel...He has raised up a horn of salvation for us...to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Lk 1:68-75).

Jesus also said, "From now on." "Fisherman" was Simon Peter’s original identity and title, and his task was to catch and to pull fish out of the water with his nets. But now, Jesus is giving Simon a new purpose and identity.

Simon cannot choose this life; it is given by Jesus alone. Jesus said, “From now on you will fish for people.”

The root idea behind the word “catch” or “to fish for” is a Greek word that means “to capture” or “to take alive.” So, Jesus tells Simon Peter that from now on he will be capturing people for Jesus. He used to pull fish out of the water and eat them, but now he would pull people from the depths of sin and death and deliver them to life. Just as Jesus captured the heart of Simon and brought him to the core of the gospel, so Simon would now preach the gospel of salvation that leads people to Jesus.

Jesus’ concept, “fish for people,” has a deep meaning, but it’s not like putting the bait on a fishing line and waiting a long time for fish to take a bite until we become sleepy. Jesus is talking about net fishing. It requires our hard work, not so much our ability. It stresses our persistence and dedication to the task, regardless of the results. We are not fishing to make sure we have something to eat tomorrow. Rather we are fishing lives of people. Thank God, the gospel message itself, like the fishing net, has the power to capture people’s hearts. As gospel workers, we must rely on the power of the gospel and continue to share it through our words, our actions and our practical, daily lives just like Jesus did. This is the primary purpose of Jesus’ disciples, to fish for people. It is challenging because it requires our commitment, decision and hard work. But when we do so it will also draw us close to Jesus, helping us go deeper and deeper in our relationships with Jesus. Look now at verse 11. “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

They recognized the great opportunity Jesus gave them, and they obeyed his calling. Why did they do so? Obedience comes from love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (Jn 14:15) They loved Jesus because Jesus loved them first. (1Jn 4:19) They were not obligated to follow Jesus, but they recognized Jesus’ great love for them and his identity as Lord, revealed through the miraculous catch of fish. Their leaving everything behind reveals their full commitment to the identity and future Jesus had given them. I am reminded of Jesus’ calling in my life and of the time when I was caught by an invitation to one-to-one Bible study. At that time, I realized my shameful sins and failures before God; though I thought I was little better than others, I quickly realized my need for Jesus’ grace and love. The door to having a right relationship with Jesus and identity as Jesus’ disciple was opened to me when I was captured by a servant of God. Through this message, I realize Jesus has the best things in store for me; if he tells me to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” it’s not for his sake but for my own full satisfaction and happiness. I realize I must fully trust in Jesus in everything.

Today, we see how Jesus calls Peter to be his disciple. This calling is about having the right relationship with Jesus and to help us realize that the reality of his calling and presence are real in our lives. I know Jesus wants to have such a deep relationship with each of you. He does so by challenging us with his words. Jesus is saying, to each of us right where we are, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Jesus wants us to go deeper in love with him. He is challenging our faith. Lord, help each of us not only to hear your challenge, but to respond with faith and obedience. Amen