The Chosen – Episode Four – Reflection

 

“Because you say so, I will let down the nets.” It’s not the most inspiring expression of faith. It’s probably spoken through clenched teeth, probably by a man with clamped fists. But Peter somehow managed to get the words out. His compliance went against everything that made sense to the fisher of Galilee. He knew the sea, and the best time to work it. And how dare this carpenter from Nazareth suggest that he didn’t! Peter’s was a reluctant obedience – a difficult, grueling, self-denying submission –  the kind we often need ourselves.

It’s easy to follow Jesus when it makes sense. His commands, when they mostly line up with what we already know to do, seem reasonable. But when they don’t – when they are contrary to everything we have been trained to think and do – we have a choice to make. We can trust our own instincts, or we can trust the one who created the water and the fish and who loves us enough to come onto our boat. Peter chose the latter, and Jesus honored his choice.

Peter knew Jesus – more than we realize when watching The Chosen. Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother, Andrew, perhaps months or even a year before the miraculous catch we read of in Luke 5. During that time, Peter saw Jesus change water into wine and perform many other miracles, including the healing of his own mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39). He has seen enough to know that when Jesus asks him to do something, he needs to pay attention. He has seen enough to have a “because you say so” obedience. And that is enough faith to experience Jesus in a greater way.

I notice in Scripture and in life that Jesus often works this way. He starts by asking for our reluctant obedience. And He doesn’t condemn our reluctance. Instead, he blesses it, and He shows Himself in a way that invites our radical obedience, our total surrender. This is what Peter offers to Jesus after the catch when he “left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:11). This is the wholehearted dedication that Jesus is patiently leading us to. But we don’t get there through our own instincts or reasoning. We get there by obeying Jesus when it doesn’t make sense until we encounter His power and love in new and personal ways. Then, we realize we have no choice at all – Jesus is worth everything, and it is a joy to follow Him!

I don’t know what Jesus might be asking you to do or how difficult it feels to you. But even if all you can muster is a “because you say so,” do it! You just might be on your way toward a miraculous catch of your own!

 

Whoever has my commands and obeys them is the one who loves me.

He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.

John 14:21