Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “ Cast the net on the right- hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
Observation The disciples decide to go back to the ‘familiar’. Peter said, “I am going fishing”; and the others follow. What else are they going to do? But they caught nothing.They did not recognize Jesus – the man calling from the beach, asking, “You don’t have fish, do you?” They had no fish; it was true.Interesting, the disciples had gone back to fishing, their familiar vocation; they were after all, fishermen. They loved to fish. But they caught no fish. But Jesus was there in their midst – though they did not recognize Him. It wasn’t until they obeyed what He said, when they threw their nets to the right side of the boat and caught 153 large fish – that their eyes were opened! It was Jesus!God’s miracle power was manifested in what they were doing in their day to day.
Application Expect and experience God’s power and be open to the miraculous dimensions of life that God wants to demonstrate in and through me. God is with me, though I may not recognize His Presence, He is here!
Prayer Father, there are times it seems that I have gone back to ‘fishing” – babysitting, caring for little ones like I did for so many years. Only now, it’s grandchildren! There are days, it feels like I’m not very successful at accomplishing anything worthwhile. Yet my ear is attentive to You Lord, and I’m open to Your miracle working power in whatever I am doing. God You are able. I am willing.In Jesus Name, be glorified in my life I pray.
A-men. (Thank you JLL for your fine illustration of 'Gone Fishing', 1990 UCSF)
