Stepping Out in Faith: A Reflection on Luke 5:1-11
While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.
When Jesus Steps Into Our Ordinary
Picture this: It's been a long, frustrating night for Simon Peter and his crew. They're professional fishermen who know these waters like the back of their hands, yet they've come up empty. Their nets are clean but their boats are empty. They're washing their gear, probably wondering how they'll provide for their families after such a disappointing catch.
Then Jesus shows up.
What's remarkable about this encounter is how Jesus enters into Simon's ordinary world. He doesn't call Peter away from his work initially—instead, He steps into Peter's boat and uses it as His pulpit. Jesus meets us where we are, in the midst of our daily routines, our work, our struggles.
The Challenge of Obedience
After teaching the crowds, Jesus gives Simon what must have seemed like absurd advice: "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Imagine Simon's thoughts: Really? I've been fishing these waters my whole life. We just spent all night in the best fishing spots with nothing to show for it. And now this carpenter is telling me how to fish?
But notice Simon's response: "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets."
Here's the heart of discipleship—trusting Jesus even when His instructions don't make sense to our limited understanding. Simon acknowledges the futility of the situation but chooses obedience over expertise. Sometimes following Jesus means doing things that seem counterintuitive to our experience or wisdom.
When God's Power Overwhelms
The result is overwhelming—so many fish that their nets begin to tear and both boats are in danger of sinking. This abundance isn't just about fish; it's a sign of what happens when we trust God's direction over our own understanding.
But look at Peter's reaction. Instead of celebrating, he falls at Jesus' knees and says, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." The miracle doesn't make Peter proud—it makes him acutely aware of his own unworthiness in the presence of divine power.
This is often how encounters with God work. His goodness doesn't make us feel good about ourselves; it reveals the gap between His holiness and our humanity. Yet Jesus' response is telling: "Do not be afraid."
The Call to Something Greater
"From now on you will be catching men," Jesus tells Peter. The miracle was never really about fish—it was about revealing Jesus' power and calling these men to a greater purpose.
Notice that Jesus doesn't say, "You'll be great evangelists" or "You'll build a huge church." He uses language Peter understands. Just as Peter knew how to read the waters, feel for the fish, and cast his nets with skill, he would learn to read human hearts, sense spiritual hunger, and cast the net of the Gospel with wisdom.
Leaving Everything Behind
The Gospel ends with a stunning statement: "When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him."
Everything. Their boats, their nets, their livelihood, their security. After experiencing the miraculous catch—perhaps the most profitable day of their fishing careers—they walk away from it all.
This teaches us something profound about the nature of God's call. It's not just an addition to our existing life; it's an invitation to a completely new way of living. Following Jesus often means leaving behind not just our sins, but our securities, our plans, our definitions of success.
Questions for Reflection
As we reflect on this Gospel, consider these questions:
Where is Jesus asking you to "put out into deep water" in your life? What area might He be calling you to trust Him more deeply, even when it doesn't make sense?
What "nets" are you holding onto? What securities, plans, or comforts might God be asking you to release in order to follow Him more fully?
How do you respond when God's power is revealed in your life? Do you, like Peter, become aware of your need for His grace?
What does "leaving everything" look like in your current circumstances? It might not mean quitting your job, but it might mean changing your priorities, your attitudes, or your ambitions.
A Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, like Simon Peter, we often work hard with little to show for it. Help us to trust Your word even when our experience tells us otherwise. When You reveal Your power in our lives, keep us humble and grateful. Give us the courage to leave behind whatever keeps us from following You completely. Make us fishers of people, drawing others to Your love through our words and actions. Amen.
Today's readings remind us that discipleship begins with a simple "yes" to Jesus' invitation, even when we can't see the full picture. May we have the courage to put out into the deep waters of faith, trusting that He who calls us will provide everything we need for the journey.