Venture into deep waters with Jesus

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “The Great Adventure”

Our Bible verse for today: “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Venture into deep waters with Jesus”

So, what do you think, when Jesus instructed Peter to venture out into deep waters for a catch, was He really talking about catching a lot of fish? “Peter, I know you are a fisherman and you make your living from catching fish. So, just follow my instructions and I will make you rich. I will fill your nets full of fish and you will have a big payday!” Was that the lesson?

Or, was this entire scene a metaphor designed to teach a spiritual truth? Could it be that Jesus wants to take us into deep spiritual waters and that what we will “catch” is a life of great adventure that produces meaningful results for the kingdom of God and also creates spiritual growth in us? Yes, I think that’s much closer to the truth Jesus was teaching.

Our theme this month refers to the Christian life as a great adventure (and it certainly is!) The Christian life is also often referred to as a journey. That was the metaphor I used as the theme for my book “Walking with Paul: A journey through the lesson of Ephesians.” Another way of thinking about the Christian life is as a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey (often a long one), made to a place that is sacred to us and which is done as a matter of religious devotion.

One of the best definitions of a Christian pilgrimage comes from author Ian Morgan Cron, “A pilgrimage is a way of praying with your feet. You go on a pilgrimage because you sense there is something missing inside your soul, and the only way you can find it is to go to a sacred place.”

This is the deep water that Jesus was inviting Peter (and us) into. In Peter’s case, he had to row his boat out into the middle of actual deep water so he could have a profound spiritual experience. For you and I our deep water might be a mission trip to some remote land; or it could simply be going for a hike deep into the woods; or maybe just sitting quietly in an empty church sanctuary.

There are many ways to go on a pilgrimage (long and short; far and near) to have a special encounter with God in deep spiritual water. But you will have to want it and you will have to be willing to make the extra effort. Going into the deep waters with Jesus is part of the adventure of living the Christian life.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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