If You Say So

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 “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.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 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. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. (Luke 5:1-11 NLT)

Simon Peter was already beginning a relationship with Jesus. It’s likely that Jesus was actually staying at Peter’s house, and we know Jesus had just healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. Peter was a new believer with plenty to learn (I’m a long-term believer with plenty to learn!). However, when Jesus (a carpenter) told Simon (a professional fisherman) what to do to catch fish, Simon wasn’t sure it would work.

There are a lot of ways to say, “But, if you say so…,” but however Peter said it, he actually did what Jesus said to do. The results were absolutely overwhelming! This experience of obeying a direct instruction from the Lord and seeing the results was enough to make Simon Peter a full-on believer and full-time follower of Christ!

Here’s the main lesson for me today. My simple obedience to a direct word from the Lord will accomplish more than all my knowledge, experience, and sweat. I’m responsible to do my best with what I know and what I have, but when God clearly speaks to me, the absolutely best thing to do is simply and quickly obey!

Prayer:

Father, It seems like I have to learn this lesson again and again. Thanks for the gentle reminder that my wisest and best response to your command is “If you say so, I’ll do it!” Please help my friends and me to trust you more and obey you more quickly! Amen.