Launch Into The Deep
“On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.”
Matthew 13:1-2 NKJV
Recently, I found myself reading Matthew 13:1-2 when suddenly it jumped out to my Spirit. What grabbed me specifically was the positioning of both Jesus and the multitudes.
As I read, the Lord began speaking to me about this text: The presence of Jesus on the boat was an invitation to the masses.
“What is the purpose of this invitation?” I pondered.
As stated in the scripture, Jesus went (KJV) into the boat. In verse 2, went translates to embainó (Strong’s 1684). It means to go on board, to enter, to embark. This action of embarking points to a transition that is to take place. Thematically, boats (ploion, Strong’s 4143) often entail the call of discipleship, framing decisive moments. For instance, in Matthew 4:18-22, we see the four fishermen called disciples making the decision to follow Christ and be fishers of men. Therefore, they immediately make a resolve, leaving behind their boats and their nets. To step aboard with Jesus and leave behind the old becomes symbolic of obedience and faith, ultimately distinguishing those who truly have a heart for Christ. In essence, Jesus embarks on the boat, conveying both a transition and a decision that is at hand.
Then, He sits in the boat while the multitudes stand on the shore. In this scripture, the word stand (kathémai, Strong’s 2521) denotes remaining, residing, being seated, and dwelling. However, let’s view this scripture with additional perspective:
“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.””
Luke 5:1-4 NKJV
The word sat in Luke 5:3 translates to kathizó (Strong’s 2523). It means to sit, to set, to settle. Sitting signified settled authority and judicial deliberation. Rabbis sat to teach, judges sat to render verdicts, and monarchs sat to rule. Jesus taking a seat in the boat was indicative of the authority He possesses and of His position as Teacher. Meanwhile, the multitudes stood before Him, signifying respectful appearance before a ruler. In each setting, the action of standing underscores accountability to higher authority.
But, before Jesus takes a seat in the boat, He makes a very important request. He asks Simon to put the boat out a little from the land. The vessel moved away from the shore to deeper waters, as Christ will always call His body to venture beyond surface level, familiar settings into a “deeper” place. From that place and position, He spoke.
And when He stopped talking, He commanded Simon to launch into the deep and let down the net for a catch. Launch out translates to epanagó (Strong’s 1877), a verb that conveys the idea of moving out or back in a purposeful way. Into translates to eis (Strong’s 1519) marking movement and orientation, prompting you to be aware of what you are oriented towards. Lastly, the deep translates to bathos (Strong’s 899), meaning depth, profundity, profound matters, and mystery. It moves from the physical realm to the spirit realm (the profound matters of God). It contrasts the surface level from what is hidden.
“But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.”
Luke 5:5-6 NKJV
In this deep—this profundity—the catch was prepared.
The Lord spoke to me that the presence of Jesus on that boat was an invitation to the masses to embark on the vessel, prompting me to ponder the purpose of this invitation. The Lord wants His people, you, to move from the shore and venture into deeper waters. He wants you to launch into the deep where He has prepared a catch for you. This catch is unattainable from the surface and certainly does not derive from human effort. The time to step aboard is now.
Will you accept the invitation?