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
This is an account of one experience Jesus had with his disciples, as it is recorded in the fifth chapter of Luke. This story shows us the need to obey even though the circumstances around us are seem totally contrary to God’s command.
The disciples had just come from a long night of fishing which resulted in frustration, since they had caught nothing at all. Even with all their skills and experience as fishermen they were not enough to reach the expected result. Their efforts seemed to be useless throughout a bad night of work. Early in the morning, as they returned, they find Jesus who asks for the main tool their work, their boat. It was the stage to teach the multitude about the Kingdom. What those fishermen didn’t know is the way that an apparent failure in their labor would serve as a lesson to the multitude, both for themselves and for us 2000 years later.
Jesus, the carpenter, gives an order to these sea wolves, these experienced fishermen, who knew where and when to go out to fish. The carpenter said “go to the deep sea and let down the nets!” Here is a challenge to the disciples. They were to obey something that seemed senseless, illogical, and with a few aggravating problems. The nets which had been used all night long were already clean, their bodies were probably tired. The shift was finished. It was already day time and they had worked all night long. They knew the time to catch fish had passed. The sun was hot and it was not the adequate time to go back to the sea, since they had very slim chances of being successful. However, Peter was learning to trust in the Master and regardless of the circumstances, he preferred to obey. The result: a huge amount of fish. They needed another boat to help with the nets.
What can we learn from this? In our lives we may have bad experiences, hard days, work without results, unfavorable circumstances, complicated stories, fruitless efforts, extreme fatigue… But if we only hear the voice of our Lord God, everything can change! Obey, dare to live according to the order of the Carpenter. Follow his steps and the blessings of God will flow in your life. Regardless of how much you may have worked. Regardless of how tired you are. Just walk according to God’s Word. (Read Luke 5:1-11 and Ezekiel 37:1-14)
Pr Olgálvaro Júnior.
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