Luke 5:4 “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

Let the preacher beware of allegorising and over-spiritualising such details.  Example:

‘The invitation to put out into the deep for a catch provides a sharp contrast to our human penchant for the predictable and the routine. It is an invitation to venture into new ground or new depths, but it also points to new challenges in mission and ministry for the church in every generation…In the case of Simon, as for the Christian faced with such a command, there is the realization that the most profound and significant experiences of God and life are not to be found in the safe ways and places.’

(Howard K. Gregory, Feasting on the Word, Vol Year C Vol 1)

From a Catholic source:

‘The symbolism of putting out into the deep water tells us that we must be all in and fully committed if we are to evangelize and spread the Word of God as we are called to do.’ (Source)

And an Anglican bishop rallies his hearers:

‘This is the moment we have reached in the story of our own Diocese and of our common vision. At the end of this conference, I hope every person here will be willing to say to the parishes and deaneries: “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

‘I expect that some people at least will respond in a similar way to the disciples: “Look, we have worked all night and caught nothing”. Ministry has not been too fruitful of late. The things we have done are not really making a difference. But I hope they will go on to say: “Because that is the call of Jesus we will let down the nets.”

‘And I hope that in many different places, there will be the equivalent of a miraculous catch of fish: new disciples; renewed vocations in the workplace; a fresh relationship with schools; new congregations planted; children’s and youth work renewed; the captives set free; signs of the kingdom in ways we do not expect.’

We may, however, legitimately ask whether we have ever felt that Jesus couldn’t possibly understand our needs, or feelings, or experiences.  Let us be reassured from this that he does.