What Jesus Did! 'If You Say So!' — Luke 5:2-7

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

[Jesus] noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish."

"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again." 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.

— Luke 5:2-7 NLT

Key Thought

Simon (Peter) was a fisherman. Being a fisherman was his life. Being a fisherman was his trade. So when Jesus told him to fish in a certain place and at a certain time that Peter "knew" were wrong from all of his experience, he must have had to swallow hard to follow this carpenter's instructions. But, he did! He basically told Jesus, "If YOU say to do it, then I'll do it!" Let's be honest. There are times when what Jesus tells us to do seems at best counter-intuitive and sometimes crazy. Just a cursory reading of the Sermon on the Mount [1] gives us more than enough to chew on for a lifetime. That's when our love for Jesus and our submission to his lordship really are tested. Are we willing to be like Peter and say, "Lord, if you say so, I'll do it!"?

[1] Matthew 5, 6, 7.

Today's Prayer

Give me a pliable heart and a willing spirit, O God, to obey what your Son has taught and to do what his lordship calls me to do. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 6:60-69
  • 1 Peter 1:21-23
  • 1 Peter 1:24-25

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Out Fishing the Fisherman
Article by Phil Ware
What happens when Jesus confronts us in our area of strength? Phil Ware continues his series on Saved at Sea looking this week at the call of Simon Peter and the miraculous catch of fish when it shouldn't have happened unless Jesus is Lord.
Move Out to Deeper Water
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"Dear Friend, Wow, there is so much I would like to say to you about this important moment in today's verses that forever changed the lives of Peter,...."
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"We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his..."
See All 7 Related Resources about Luke 5:2-7

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 5:2-7 NLT — "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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