A Little Further Out: The Key to Your “Net Breaking Catch” (Video)

A Little Further Out: The Key to Your “Net Breaking Catch” – Are you looking for a “net-breaking catch” of blessing in your life? Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone at the word of the Lord? The Gospel of Luke recounts a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus and his relationship to the apostle Peter – The Big Fisherman. In Luke 5:3 we witness a seemingly simple interaction between Jesus and Simon Peter that holds a profound lesson about obedience, faith, and the rewards of venturing beyond our comfort zones. Jesus asks Peter to “put out a little from the shore,” and this request, along with Peter’s response, provides a powerful paradigm for understanding the blessings that await those who are willing to step away from the familiar and embrace the unknown at God’s prompting.

The Setting: A Crowd, a Carpenter, and a Fisherman

The scene unfolds at the Lake of Gennesaret (also known as the Sea of Galilee). Jesus, already drawing large crowds eager to hear His teachings, finds Himself constrained by the throng pressing upon Him. The people are hungry for His message, and perhaps to get a glimpse of the miraculous. Peter, a seasoned fisherman, is present with his partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They have just completed a night of fishing, with no results. How about you? Have you put in massive amounts of time in pursuit of greater blessing with NO RESULTS? Into this setting of human need and subsequent disappointment steps Jesus. He is not a fisherman; He is a carpenter from Nazareth. Peter must have thought “what does a carpenter know about fishing?” So there’s a call to humility and being willing to step out in faith even when it doesn’t seem practical to do so.

Put Out a Little from the Shore”: A Call to Slight Inconvenience

Jesus’ request to Peter is simple: “Put out a little from the shore.” He isn’t asking you for much. Can you give Jesus just a little faith, just ONE MORE small obedience? The answer to that question makes all the difference. Jesus doesn’t make a big deal of it. He doesn’t say, “Peter, if you do this, I will bless you.” He just asks, quietly, humbly, that Peter move his boat a short distance from the land, creating a space from which He can address the crowd more effectively.

At first glance, this might seem like a minor request, a small disruption to Peter’s routine. He is tired, he has worked all night, and he is now engaged in the tedious task of cleaning his nets. Yet, Jesus, a man who knows nothing about fishing, is asking him to interrupt his work and reposition his boat. In Peter’s life at that moment and perhaps in your own life likewise (as respects your situation and circumstance), this seemingly insignificant request carries significant weight. It represents a call to step slightly outside of one’s comfort zone, to yield a small measure of control, and to prioritize a purpose beyond one’s immediate concerns. Peter’s boat, a tool for catching fish, is now being asked to serve as a platform for delivering spiritual sustenance. What about you? Are you compartmentalizing your life – personal, work, spiritual things – or are you willing to make your life a launch platform for kingdom purpose even in ways that don’t make sense and aren’t convenient to act on?

Peter’s Obedience: A Foundation for Greater Things

Peter’s response is crucial. Your response is crucial in your situation. Despite his weariness and the apparent inconvenience, he complies with Jesus’ request. He does not argue, he does not offer excuses, and he does not hesitate. He moves his boat “a little from the shore,” creating the space Jesus needs. That’s all God wants and needs – for you to take that little you have, like the little boy who gave his two loaves and five fishes, and Jesus fed a multitude. Are you willing?

This seemingly small act of obedience is a pivotal moment. It demonstrates Peter’s willingness to be used by Jesus, to set aside his own agenda, and to trust in the wisdom of his request. It is a foundational act of faith that positions him for the extraordinary events that are about to unfold.

This principle resonates deeply with our own lives. God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones, not with dramatic leaps, but with small, seemingly insignificant acts of obedience. He may ask us to offer our time, our resources, or our talents in ways that feel slightly inconvenient or disruptive to our established routines.

These “little” acts of obedience, like Peter moving the boat, are not ends in themselves. They are the building blocks of a life surrendered to God’s will. They demonstrate our willingness to be used by Him and prepare us for the greater things He has in store.

Beyond the Shoreline: A Metaphor for Spiritual Growth

The image of moving “a little from the shore” speaks of an important dynamic for spiritual growth and the Christian life. The shoreline represents the familiar, the comfortable, and the predictable. It is the place where we feel safe and in control. In your own life, don’t give in to the tyranny of your energy level or proximity to the familiar to keep you from receiving your miracle. The Christian life is not meant to be lived exclusively on the shoreline. Jesus calls us to venture beyond the familiar, to launch out into the deeper waters of faith, and to embrace the unknown with trust and courage.

This journey beyond the shoreline often involves discomfort. It requires us to relinquish our grip on control, to confront our fears, and to step into situations where we feel inadequate or unprepared. It may involve:

• Serving in unfamiliar ways: Volunteering for a ministry that stretches our abilities.
• Sharing our faith with those who are different from us: Engaging in conversations that challenge our perspectives.
• Confronting personal weaknesses: Addressing areas of our lives that we have avoided.
• Giving generously even when it feels like a sacrifice

Yet, it is in these moments of discomfort, when we step beyond the shoreline of our comfort, that we often experience the greatest growth and the most profound encounters with God.

The Reward: An Abundant Catch

In the context of Luke 5, Peter’s initial act of obedience in moving the boat sets the stage for a miraculous catch of fish. After Jesus finishes teaching the crowd, He instructs Peter to “put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

Peter, having already toiled all night without success, is understandably skeptical. He is a professional fisherman, and he knows the rhythms of the lake. Yet, because he has already yielded to Jesus’ request to move the boat, he is now positioned to hear and obey this further instruction.

His response is telling: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” This is a statement of faith, a recognition that Jesus’ word transcends his own experience and understanding.

The result was that many were blessed by Jesus’ subsequent teaching to the crowd, but also Peter became the beneficiary of an extraordinary catch of fish, so large that the nets began to break and the boats were in danger of sinking. This abundance is a direct consequence of Peter’s obedience, beginning with the seemingly small act of moving his boat “a little from the shore.” This miraculous catch symbolizes the abundant blessings that await those who are willing to step out in faith and obey God’s leading. It demonstrates that our willingness to move beyond our comfort zones, even in small ways, can open the door to blessings far greater than we could have imagined.

A Five-Point Call to Action

The story of Peter and the boat offers a timeless call to action for believers today. Here are five practical ways we can apply this principle to our own lives:

1. Listen for the Gentle Nudge: Pay attention to the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit, those subtle invitations to step outside your comfort zone.
2. Embrace Small Acts of Obedience: Don’t dismiss opportunities to serve or give as insignificant. Remember, great blessings often begin with small steps.
3. Prioritize God’s Purposes: Be willing to set aside your own plans and preferences to align with God’s will and further His kingdom.
4. Step Out in Faith: Even when you feel inadequate or afraid, trust God’s leading and take the necessary steps, knowing He will equip you.
5. Anticipate God’s Abundance: Believe that your obedience, even in the face of discomfort, will lead to blessings and rewards beyond your expectations.

Conclusion: Embracing the Deeper Waters

The story of Peter and the boat is a powerful reminder that God’s greatest blessings often lie just beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones. It is an invitation to embrace the discomfort that comes with following His leading, trusting that He has a greater purpose in mind.

Like Peter, we are often called to “put out a little from the shore,” to step away from the familiar and venture into the unknown. This may involve small acts of obedience or significant leaps of faith. It may require us to relinquish control, confront our fears, and rely more fully on God’s grace.

But the rewards of this journey are immeasurable. As we step out in faith, we discover a deeper intimacy with God, a greater capacity to serve others, and an abundance of blessings that far surpass our expectations. We learn that true fulfillment is not found in the safety of the shoreline but in the adventure of following Jesus into the deeper waters of His calling.

Therefore, let us embrace the call to move beyond our comfort zones. Let us be willing to be inconvenienced, to be stretched, and to be used by God in ways we never thought possible. And let us trust that as we step out in faith, He will lead us into a harvest of blessings beyond our wildest dreams.