Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it just doesn’t make a difference? Maybe you’ve been going through the motions, doing everything you know to do, and it feels like you’re stuck in a rut. Like spinning your tires in the mud—no traction, no progress, just frustration. If you’ve ever been there, you’re not alone. We’ve all felt that way at some point. And in Luke 5, we meet someone who’s right in the middle of that same kind of struggle: Peter.

Peter had just come off a long, grueling night of fishing—and it had been a complete bust. He and his brother Andrew had been out on the lake all night, working hard, trying everything they knew to catch fish. They had gone to their best fishing spots, used every trick in the book, and still came up empty. By morning, they were tired, frustrated, and defeated. They were washing their nets, trying to wrap up a night of disappointment, when Jesus showed up.

Now, at this point in Peter’s life, he already knew who Jesus was. His brother Andrew had introduced him to Jesus after following John the Baptist. Peter knew Jesus was someone special, maybe even a great teacher or prophet. But he had no idea what was about to happen.

As Jesus approached, He was surrounded by a crowd of people pressing in to hear Him teach. Looking for a way to create some space, Jesus asked Peter if He could use his boat as a makeshift pulpit. Peter didn’t hesitate. Even though he was tired and frustrated, he agreed. So, Jesus climbed into Peter’s boat, and they pushed out a little way from the shore. From there, Jesus taught the crowd while Peter listened.

After Jesus finished teaching, He turned to Peter and made an unexpected request: “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Now, you can almost hear the frustration in Peter’s voice as he responds. “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” In other words, “Jesus, I’m a professional fisherman. I know what I’m doing, and I know there’s no point in trying again. But because You said so, I’ll do it.”

What happened next changed everything. When Peter obeyed, the catch of fish was so large that their nets began to break. They had to call their partners, James and John, to bring another boat, and even then, both boats were so full they began to sink. In that moment, Peter realized he wasn’t just dealing with a great teacher or prophet. He was in the presence of someone far greater. Overwhelmed, Peter fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” But Jesus didn’t push him away. Instead, He called Peter to something greater: “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching men.”

This story is about more than just a miraculous catch of fish. It’s about the kind of faith it takes to trust Jesus, even when it doesn’t make sense. It’s about moving beyond shallow, surface-level faith and stepping into the deep water—where true transformation happens. Sometimes, Jesus asks us to do things that seem illogical, inconvenient, or even impossible. But when we trust Him and obey, we experience His power and provision in ways we never could have imagined.

So, where is Jesus calling you to launch out into the deep? Maybe it’s in your relationships, your career, your ministry, or your walk with Him. Whatever it is, don’t let fear or frustration hold you back. Take that step of faith. Trust His word. Obey His voice. And watch what happens when you let down your nets in deep water.

Over the next few days wee explore the different types of faith found in this passage.