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. (Luke 5:4-6)

Peter and his partners are exhausted from toiling all night–casting the nets but catching no fish. When Jesus shows up, they are washing the nets, which means they are putting everything away for the day.

What they need the most right now is time to get rested up, refreshed and ready to hit the high seas again the next night.

Jesus tells them to get back out there again, exhaustion and all. Not just to cast the nets a few feet away from shore. He wants them to go deep.

How does Peter, a professional fisherman with a commercial fishing boat and industrial strength nets respond to this recommendation from a professional carpenter who has absolutely no experience in fishing?

If you were a dentist, would you take advice on how to do a root canal from the Roto-Rooter guy?

Duh!

Peter could’ve pooh-poohed Jesus’ directive. Instead he says:

“Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Nevertheless. That is the key word in this narrative.

It doesn’t make sense in the natural.

No sensible professional fisherman would do what you’re suggesting, Jesus.

Nevertheless.

Ever find yourself in Peter’s crocs?

It makes no sense to forgive considering the hurt they have caused us. Seems like they’re getting off the hook easy.

Nevertheless at Your word, I will forgive.

It makes no sense to tithe considering we can’t make ends meet on 100%. How are we going to do it on 90%?

Nevertheless at Your word, I will tithe.

No sensible person would give up a good-paying job and head off to some godforsaken jungle mission field in a godless nation in the name of God.

Nevertheless at Your word, I will go.

No sensible church would re-locate from an affluent neighbourhood to the downtown core just so they could serve the least of these.

Nevertheless at Your Word, we will move.

Now it’s your turn to fill in the blanks. Here, let me get you started.

It makes no sense to …………………. considering ………………………

Nevertheless at Your word, I will …………………………..

No sensible person would ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Nevertheless at Your word, I will……………………………

Peter would concur. And Jesus will smile.