Into Deep Water

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 sat down and 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. (Luke 5:1-11)

Jesus saw two boats, and he chose the one belonging to Simon.  Have we ever asked why he didn’t choose the other?  To whom did it belong?  We know he favored Simon, later called Peter.  But still, why did Luke mention the presence of the other unnamed boat?  It seems superfluous.  

Did it belong to Judas?  Does it belong to us meaning after a look at the condition of our craft (faith) he chose the one in better condition?  Perhaps we resemble goats in contrast to sheep.

Each of us has our own boat in which we sail.   Do we invite Jesus to sail with us?   Close quartered in our small boats gives us plenty of opportunity to listen to what he teaches.  That would be quite an education and outside on the water.  Great social distancing.  

Would Jesus decline our invitation especially if he recognized us as hypocrites and he knew we just wanted to catch fish and not men and women meaning we’re self-centered and self-consumed?  

If Jesus approached us and our boats on the shores of Cape Cod, how would we convince him to get on board?  What would we offer?   Perhaps allegiance, concern for the common good, and a willingness and courage to put out into deep water.

Deacon David Pierce