Word IMPACT!Sample

Day 11

AT YOUR WORD I WILL LET DOWN THE NET

Jesus was the greatest move of God! He shook the religious scene of His day. He was nothing like the religious leaders. His ministry was marked by joy and a genuine compassion for people. His words were fresh and cut to the core. He spoke with authority. At the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in to listen to the word of God.

It was as if the kingdom principles that Jesus taught were aimed directly at Peter that day. I believe there was a stirring in Simon’s heart as he was challenged by Jesus’ teaching. As Jesus imparted to them kingdom principles, how to live in faith and trust God for intervening and changing people, Simon’s test was just around the corner.

“Simon, now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” (Luke 5:4)

Simon’s first reaction was to tell Jesus what the circumstances were. “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…” (v 5a). Master, my opinion as a professional fisherman is that there are no fish there. We were out all night long and caught not one fish. We worked hard without any results. There are no fish deeper out.

“Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (v 5b)

His word has the highest authority. We must move with His word, align ourselves with His word. Doing and acting on His word will give God the opportunity to intervene. If you say so, Jesus, Peter thought, consider it done. We are heading into the deep.

“And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.” (v 6) Doing what He told them was the key for a supernatural moment.

They went from lack to abundance. All it asked was one act of obedience. Believing that He is who He claims to be. A catch so great that their nets started breaking. A catch so great that two boats started to sink.

What happened wasn’t ordinary. It was the power of God at work. “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus.” (v 8a) He was overwhelmed with awe and adoration. Overwhelmed with his own sinfulness. Overwhelmed with the Lordship of Jesus. “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” (v 8b)

For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, … were also amazed. (v 9-10) Their first exposure to a miraculous intervention by a living God. Their first experience of what this Jesus, the son of the living God, is capable of. Suddenly, they are taken out of their comfort zone. Having a first-hand experience.

Jesus answered Simon, “Don’t be afraid!” This is how we are going to roll – out of our comfort zone, trusting, believing, and following this God. “From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (v 10) You will be operating in the miraculous, seeing how the miraculous changes people and transforms them. They were hooked. Willing to follow Him. Ready to trust and obey Him. Ready to see people being changed by His miraculous intervention. What an adventure was waiting for them. “And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.” (v 11)

Father, thank You that You still do the miraculous, even today! Thank You that You still change lives, even today!