"At Thy Word I Will"

 “At Thy Word, I Will”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

    Luke 5:1-11 records the miracle of the great catch of fish by Peter in the lake Gennesaret, or Galilee. This account begins with Christ entering Peter’s boat (v. 3) and teaching the people gathered at the shore. When Christ finished speaking, He commanded Peter to launch out “for a draught” (v. 4). A draught is “a catching (of fish); also (concr.) a haul (of fish)” (Strong’s). Peter’s response was: “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (v. 5).

            The words Peter spoke on this occasion meant something. The word “master” generally denotes a teacher (Ex: Matt. 19:16, 23:8). In this case, “master” “denotes a chief, a commander, overseer, .... It is used by the disciples in addressing the Lord, in recognition of his authority rather than His instruction” (Vine’s Amp., p. 506). Peter didn’t need a lesson in fishing. He knew how to fish, where, when, etc. He needed to recognize the One in authority!

            The miracle performed on this occasion was more than simply catching fish. The miracle is also seen in the manner in which the fish were caught. The time for the type of fishing Peter, James, and John did was at night (v. 5a). The place for this type of fishing was near the shore, in the shallow water. Therefore, Jesus tells Peter to go to the wrong part of the lake at the wrong time of the day to catch this “draught,” “haul,” or “catch” of fish!

            Christ’s command to go during the day into the deep part of the lake was foreign to what Peter would have done. Yet, in respect for Christ’s authority, Peter did it. What was the result? “They enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink .... he was astonished ... at the draught of the fishes which they had taken” (Lk. 5:6-9). Why did Peter catch such a large number of fish? It was because after Christ told him to go, Peter said, “At thy word I will...” What does this teach us?

The Things We Do Must Be Done In Accordance With God’s Word.

            Peter said,  “At thy word...”. Christ’s word was contrary to many things Peter and these men knew about fishing. Nevertheless, because Christ said it, Peter did it! Christ’s command to go into the deep for fish was:

1. Contrary to Tradition -- Peter could have said, “We have always gone at night, in the shallow water to catch fish.”
2. Contrary to Parents’ Teaching -- We understand that at this time, the sons followed in their fathers’ trade. Therefore, Peter’s father would have taught him to get fish in the shallow water at night if he were to make a living.
3. Contrary to the actions of friends -- “No one else” was doing what Peter was doing (Lk. 5:7).
4. Contrary to Financial sense -- “Fishing was a prosperous trade on the lake of Galilee” (Four-Fold Gospel, 162). Peter’s way was proven to be successful, but the Lord’s way seemed not to be successful. After all, what would a carpenter know about fishing?

            However, Peter went against all these things and obeyed the Lord. Our response needs to be the same. If Christ said it, we do it! Even if this means:

1. Contradicting Tradition -- The Jews in the New Testament had to come to grips with this, and so do we!
2. Contradicting our parents -- Remember Matthew 10:34-37? We must love our parents, but not more than God!
3. Contradicting our friends -- Our friends are not going to judge us. Christ is (Jn. 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16)!
4. Contradicting financial sense -- Those who truly follow the gospel do not do so for the money or physical gain (I Tim. 6:10; Matt. 6:19-21).

Our Obedience To Christ Must Be Voluntary.

            The last part of Peter’s response was: “I will...” Peter recognized Christ, the Master, was speaking to him! He was there when Mary told the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (Jn. 2:5). He understood also that he needed to willingly obey the Lord.

            In like manner, our obedience to the Lord is voluntary, not compulsory or mandatory! Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15).  Friends, how much do we love Christ? God has always wanted His people to worship and obey Him because they wanted to, not because they were forced to!

            God has always allowed men the choice as to whether or not they would obey Him. This truth is seen in Genesis 2:15-17, Exodus 16:4, Deuteronomy 6:10-15, 27:11-13, Judges 2:15-19, and into the New Testament where Paul makes it plain that God wants a “willing mind” (II Cor. 8:12, 9:7). If we are following the Lord, obeying Him merely because of :

1. Tradition -- We’ve always gone here.
2. Our Parents -- They brought me up “under this roof”
3. Our Friends -- They are going here.
4. Money -- Some belong to the church for the financial gains that can come from the associations.

            If these are our reasons, then we are in sin! We must follow the Lord with faith and conviction. Let us follow the Lord willingly because we love Him and wish to do what He has said (Jn. 14:15; Matt. 22:37-39). Let us be as Peter and say, “At the word I will...”!