JOHN 21:1-14 THE FULL NET
At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
THE POWER TO MAKE DISCIPLES
Peter and several other disciples have gone back to fishing. The Risen Lord Jesus comes to them a third time since he rose from the dead. They are back to their familiar world, but they are completely unsuccessful after a long night of nothing. It is into this wasted effort that Jesus brings his resurrection power.
The catch of 153 fish fed the hungry disciples and showed them a glimpse of Jesus’s resurrection power. The fishermen whom he had chosen to follow him were now facing a huge task: to gather a new people for Jesus. These hungry men and women met Jesus in the flesh. There he was, already on the shore, preparing a meal of broiled fish and bread for them. Jesus was providing for them before they even knew that they would be in need.
How could they possibly imagine would it would be like to go into the whole world to proclaim the gospel? How could they imagine the obstacles ahead of them, let alone the persecution which would be directed against them? They accept their failure and follow Jesus’s guidance to “cast the net” on the other side, and they find a net full of large fish. Jesus has provided more than enough of what they sought.
Today Christians are asked by Jesus to help others to find their way to him. Today we also face obstacles when we may want to help people meet Jesus. Some people are too busy, or just not interested, or even opposed to faith. How might you feel when you face these obstacles? Would you feel discouraged or inadequate?
Jesus wants to provide for you as well. Jesus goes ahead of us, shows us the way, and even finds the people who may respond to our invitation. We need not worry about everyone we know, and how we much we could try to reach them. Instead Jesus will guide us to the people who need him. We can also trust that however they may be struggling it’s not up to us to meet all of their needs. If we trust in his guidance and provision, Jesus will help us to help them. The catch will be abundant, whenever we follow his lead.