Devotional: Jesus Knows Best Luke 5:1-11

“Simon answered and said, ‘Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the net’” (Lk. 5:5, NASB).

From October 3, 1954 until May 23, 1960 NBC and CBS televised a popular sitcom, Father Knows Best. The show was about Jim Anderson and his middle-class family living in the Midwestern town of Springfield with their everyday problems. When the children need advice on anything they can always turn to their father, because father knows best.

In my own life I have had similar experiences. Growing up my dad and I work together on the farm. Whenever there is a problem or a question about how we should go about accomplishing a task dad will listen to my opinions. However, the final decision is left up to daddy. Daddy has more experience. Daddy has more knowledge. Daddy has final authority. Most importantly, daddy knows best.

In the story that we have before us today Peter shows us that he believes that Jesus knows best. Peter, a professional fisherman, and his business partners have worked hard all night. In spite of their hard work they come up empty. They catch no fish.

It is morning and Jesus is followed by a crowd listening to the word of God. Jesus sees two boats and the fishermen are cleaning their nets. Jesus borrows one of boats; it is Simon’s boat, and He uses it as a place to teach. After Jesus finishes His teaching He says to Peter: “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch” (v. 4, NASB). Why should Peter listen to Jesus? Peter is a professional fisherman with many years of experience. On the other hand, Jesus is the son of a carpenter. He has no first-hand knowledge of fishing. He has no experience as a fisherman. What can He tell Peter about fishing? Maybe Jesus should just stick to talking about something that he knows about.

If you are like me, you too like Peter have experienced failure even when you have done the best that you know how. You accept the fact that failures are a part of life. You clean your nets and wait for another day. Jesus is right there, but you continue to do your own thing. You do not ask Him for His advice. You never think that His wisdom is better than your own. You miss out on a great opportunity for success because you do not have a talk with Jesus. Yet, there is good news.

Jesus sees you. He knows what you are going through. Jesus knows that God’s time is not our time. Peter knows about fishing, but Jesus knows the fish. Jesus knows that the fish are in the area. He knows that the fish are now in the deep waters.

Peter tells Jesus about his struggles. He confesses that he has been unsuccessful in spite of his best efforts. The good news is that Peter believes that Jesus knows best. That Peter believes in Jesus is seen in his response to Jesus. Peter calls Jesus “Master” meaning that Jesus knows something that he does not know. He confesses that he has failed, but if Jesus tells him to do something he will do it. Peter is not trying to show Jesus that He does not know what He is talking about. Rather, Peter is confessing that he believes in Jesus. He will do what Jesus tells him to do because Jesus knows best.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we bring all our concerns and problems to you. We do not have an answer for our dilemmas, but like Peter we believe that You know best. Amen.