Luke 5:1-11 Catching Fish - Launch out into the deep

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filledboth the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men."
So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

"Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" - Luke 5:4

We learn from this story, the necessity of human agency. The catch of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were
ignored; but all were used to catch the fish. So in the saving of souls, God works by
means; and while this age lasts, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. When God works without instruments, doubtless He is glorified; but He has Himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which He is most magnified in the earth.

Means by and of themselves are utterly unavailing: "Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing."What was the reason for this?
Were they not professional fishermen? They understood their work.
Had they gone about the toil unskilfully? No.
Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled.
Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had ‘toiled all the night’.
Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea?
Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, the fish swam to the net in shoals.

What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? "Without him we can do nothing." But with Christ we can do all things. Christ's presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and His will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net.
When Jesus is lifted up in his Church, His presence is the Church's power - the shout of a king is in the midst of her. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me."

Let us go out today on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and working diligently. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labour in vain, for He who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fishes (if we are trusting in Him).