Scripture: John 21:1-14
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. (NIV)
Observation:
The professional fishermen had been out on the boat all night without catching anything. When Jesus, who was on the shore preparing breakfast, asked if they had caught any fish, they answered, "No." Jesus then instructed, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some" (John 21:6). It appears that Jesus always knows where the fish are. The disciples seemed to have returned to their former occupation as fishermen, while the resurrected Jesus was present to guide them back to their ministry. Initially unaware that it was Jesus, they soon realized that only he could make such a profound difference in their catch.
Application:
When we prioritize our own pursuits over placing God first, our efforts may sometimes prove fruitless. When we seek God first his kingdom and righteousness, everything else seems to fall into place.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help us not to labor in vain, but inspire us to put you first in all things. As we do, we find that we are more fruitful, and our lives become ordered.