The Captain
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (Luke 5:10)
In Luke’s gospel we read of Jesus using Simon Peter’s boat as a floating pulpit of sorts. The crowds had been pressing in on Him, so the Lord launched out a little from the shore as He spoke to the people. Afterward He told Peter, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 nkjv).
Now, Jesus was what we might call a landlubber. He was a rabbi. He wasn’t someone who typically spent time on the water.
Peter replied, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Peter’s response included a unique nautical term that could be translated this way: “We have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, Master (or Captain) of this boat, we will do it.”
Peter could have been saying, “With all due respect, Lord, when it comes to teaching, You are the Man. We hang on Your every word. But this is kind of our thing. We’ve already been fishing. It’s a waste of time.”
When they launched out into the deep, however, there were so many fish, their nets began to break and the boat began to sink. Another boat was brought up, and it was overwhelmed with fish as well. Peter was blown away. He said to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (verse 8 nkjv).
Effectively he was saying to Jesus, “Don’t waste Your time on me. I’m going to disappoint You. I’m not going to measure up. Don’t even bother with me, Jesus.”
But Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (Luke 5:10 nlt).
Is Jesus the captain of your boat? Let Him be that for you. Let Him take control.
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