In the region of Galilee, Jesus stood by Lake Gennesaret (or Tiberius) and the people pressed in to hear the Word of the Lord and also for healing. Jesus sees two empty boats or vessels and chooses to use them as pulpits. The fishermen have gone away and they are cleaning their nets. Jesus gets into Simon Peter’s boat in verse 3. He asked Simon Peter to put out a little from the land and Jesus sat and taught. In verse 4 when Jesus finished teaching he asks Simon Peter to go out deeper – beyond his comfort zone. Jesus said he would get a big haul which is the promise given.
In verse 5, Simon says “Master” (Epistates – commander with authority), we’ve toiled all night (toil is the Greek word “kopiasautes”, meaning work hard, struggle, strive) and took nothing – “ou” in the Greek means “no” and so it is no-thing. Remember, God created the world out of nothing, but nevertheless, “at your word and authority, I’ll let down the newly washed net”. The only way Peter participated in this was to clean the net, and he didn’t realize he was preparing his net for a miracle. God cleans first what He intends to use.
What is the Holy Spirit telling us? First, that even if we are in the right area, we perhaps need, though, to go deeper. Our talents, wisdom, gifts, resources are generally very well founded, but occasionally God has to bring us to a place where all of our efforts come up empty. Then He can do the creative work with us out of the way. In the meantime, we need to clean ourselves and be ready for what He says.
Peter got such a haul that he couldn’t contain it. Now, while most Christian’s barometer in this haul would be souls and bodies in the seats – which would be wonderful and we’d be excited; it is first and foremost that we give allegiance to Christ to do His work in His body His way.