In Luke 5, Jesus entered the boat of Peter and told him to put out into deep water. He instructed them where to let down their nets, and they caught so many fish that their nets broke. They had to signal for help from another boat, and they caught so many fish that both boats nearly sank.

Fish can often be symbolic of people, and water can represent the Spirit or the Kingdom of God. Indeed, the early Church, in the Book of Acts, experienced this as many began to follow them. To them it was equivalent to being in deep water, and the disciples were stretched as God opened salvation to people groups that were outside of the disciples' comforts or belief systems (see Acts 10).

Luke 5 was a prophetic parable of what Jesus is now calling us to today. But there was also another fishing encounter that Peter and a few disciples had with Jesus in John 21. During a time when things looked discouraging, Jesus stood on the shore and called out to them to let down their nets. But this time He told them to cast them on the other side of the boat. Again, they caught a large number of fish, but this time the nets did not break.

The prophetic message in the John 21 experience is that they had to cast their nets on the opposite side of the boat. God is drawing people, but they are not where we might think.  Many people in the church who have felt that they either messed up or have been hidden or forgotten are now being discipled into their Christ identity and are ready to start bearing fruit that remains for God’s advancing Kingdom.  

GOD'S CALL TO US NOW

In Luke 5 where God is calling us to mend the holes we have in our nets, the holes represent gaps in our understanding that have kept us from drawing in people that need His love and acceptance. We develop a harvest consciousness and are anxious to equip and send out other laborers to bring in a bountiful harvest this season.  

Luke 10:2 – “Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF:

• Are the hooks that the enemy has placed in me being revealed.

• Am I willing to mend the holes in my own nets, which are the things that have prevented people from experiencing God's love through me.

• Am I willing to hear God's calling me into "deep water" experiences, which are experiences outside of my comfort zones.

• Am I willing to do things differently than I have in the past (cast my net on the other side of the boat).

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY