A Safe Bet

In Luke, chapter 5, Jesus exceeded expectations.  The boys had been out fishing and evidently didn’t have a very productive night.  They were hanging out on the shore working on their nets when Jesus asked to borrow one of their boats.  They agreed, and Jesus climbed into the boat, pushed a bit off the shore and preached to a gathering crowd.  When Jesus was finished speaking He suggested that the boys go back out where the water was deeper to fish.  I don’t think Simon Peter was thrilled about the possibility of heading back out.  He tells Jesus that the previous night had been a bust, and he also says, “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” (Luke 5:5, NLT)

Peter’s expectations were low.  In fact, they were most likely non-existent!  He knew his job, he knew the lake, he knew the best times to head out… He knew how to fish.  He had to have been listening to what Jesus shared with the crowd. Peter must have been impressed with what Jesus had been saying, because he agreed to go along with what Jesus asked. 

I think Peter would’ve been happy with a small catch after not catching anything the night before.  He’d have been excited over a full net.  Jesus went way beyond Peter’s limited expectation.  Luke 5:6&7 says, “And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.” (NLT)  Jesus didn’t provide a good catch.  Jesus didn’t provide a gigantic catch.  Jesus provided an unbelievable, miraculous catch.

I think Peter began with some doubt.  If I were him I would’ve been having all sorts of second-guessing type conversations with Jesus in my head.  Peter didn’t argue with Jesus.  He was upfront about what he thought; they had been out fishing and the fish just weren’t biting.  And then Peter and the boys obeyed. In the little time they had been with Jesus, they were impacted by who He was, they gambled on what Jesus suggested.

Have you been gambling lately? 

Sometimes when Jesus asks us to do something that feels risky or at best really uncomfortable, we tend to discount the idea or ourselves.  We think we’ve tried something like that already.  We don’t see that particular area as God’s area of expertise, and we probably know better.  We’re afraid it will make us appear silly to others for trying.  Or it just seems so pointless because we’ve convinced ourselves it’s not for us or it can’t be done.  All of those thoughts could’ve filtered through Peter’s mind or any one of those fishing boys. 

They took the gamble. They experienced a miracle, right there in their own boat.  So I wonder: is God asking something of me that I am (for whatever reason) discounting?  And I wonder: is God asking something of you that (for whatever reason) you are discounting? 

Later in Peter’s life, he steps out of his boat in an act of obedience.  Perhaps you’ve heard of the idea that we’ve got to get out of the boat! Sometimes, Jesus wants us back in the boat so He can show us how things are really done.  In or out of the boat, it requires obedience and trust.  Jesus is ready to exceed your expectations.  Are you ready to gamble? I’m convinced it’s a safe bet.