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.” Luke 5:5 (NIV)
When I was a kid, I hated hearing either of my parents say, “Because I said so,” as their final answer to my seemingly endless inquisitions of “Why?” But, as a Mom now, I totally get it. Sometimes there just isn’t time to go into all the details behind the why, and sometimes the details aren’t necessary at that specific time, and sometimes the details aren’t necessary at all. In those moments, the best answer really is, “Because I said so!” Which really isn’t a real answer (or at least the answer you’re looking for) when you’re a kid, but as a child of God, sometimes, this is the only reason you need.
In this part of Luke, we find our fishermen most likely tired, defeated, and for sure empty-handed. They had cleaned their nets and were done for the day. Simon (Peter) states it clearly, “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” I mean, wasn’t it obvious? They were done.
Have you ever been there? You know, that place where you have busted your tail all night long and you’ve come up empty-handed…again. That’s where our boys were. They’d already called it a night, cleaned out their nets, and were ready to call it quits.
That’s it. Just…done.
And then Jesus comes along, and says, “Dudes, why don’t we go out fishing again?” (He didn’t really say it like that, He actually said, “Put out into deep water, and let the nets down for a catch.” (v.4), but you follow, right?) And Peter, I just love Peter, he says, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” And he follows it up with, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Because.You.Say.So.
Man. That’s obedience. That’s faith.
I think about the many times when Jesus has asked me to do something, and my response is far from the example Peter sets here. Sometimes, I’m almost there, but I get hung up on what I’ve already done and how it hasn’t worked up to this point, and how it’s probably not going to work now, and then I can’t seem to get past that. I mean, “Jesus, I’ve been working at this for so long. Why would I turn around and do it again? I’m ready to call it quits. I’m done!” (And sometimes, I even add in, “Are you crazy?” I know, probably not the best way to talk to Jesus, but just trying to keep it real here folks.)
I’ve often found that it is in those “Are you crazy?” moments – those moments where it doesn’t make sense at all to do what He’s asking me to do (especially if I’ve already done it or tried it a dozen other times) – that I know for sure it’s Him. Because somewhere deep in my heart – in my soul – even though I don’t know why, I know the fact that He asked me to do something is all the reason (and privilege) I need. And so, I humbly repent, and then thank Him for this teachable moment, and I obey. It’s then that my heart is changed – I want to do what He has asked of me, not because I know why, but simply because He said so.
Father, please forgive me for the times I am too stubborn to do what you ask. Help me to be more obedient the first time you ask me to do something. Never stop working in my heart. You are my greatest teacher and treasure. I love You. Amen.
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