When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
Luke 5:4
In Luke Chapter 5, Simon Peter had just experienced an unsuccessful night's fishing. He was found by Jesus busy washing his empty nets. Jesus uses this opportunity to use one of Simon Peter's boats as a platform to teach the crowds. Jesus, after teaching the multitudes, tells Simon to cast out to the deep and let down the nets for a catch. Simon, a little reluctant at first, starts with an excuse but obeys the word of Jesus.
"Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5).
As they bring the nets up, they begin to break, so much so that they call for their partners to join them and help them. They came across to help, and the catch was so big that both boats began to sink under the weight of the number of fish in the boat.
Jesus was teaching Simon two important lessons that, hopefully, we can take on board in our own lives today if we want to achieve greater success. Firstly, we must learn to stand on His word alone to succeed in our ministry, but also, we must learn to stand with each other to get the job done well! There truly is strength in numbers, and our partnership with people in the body of Christ is an essential key to reaping the abundant harvest of souls for Jesus!
Authentic partnership in the Kingdom of God looks like Holy Spirit-led collaboration and co-labouring together to bring in the harvest. When partnership is our priority, it takes the focus off personalized ministry back to the greater mandate for all to reach people for Jesus. In Luke 5:9-10, Peter and his crew were all astonished at the catch of fish, as were James and John, who were partners with Simon Peter. But then 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.
How is the Lord trying to get your attention today? In what areas of your life and ministry can you share the load and catch hold of the potential of working alongside others? When Simon acted on a word from Jesus and worked with his partners, they were astonished at the result! Today, does God want to shift your contentment to a much more excellent catch? Is your greater abundance relying on your willingness to work with others?
In Ephesians 3:20, Paul writes, 'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.' We must learn to work with others as His power works in us to see the' immeasurably more'!
