I Am Going Fishing

T

he apostle John records perhaps the loneliness time in the lives of some of the disciples of Jesus. Just as they had been told, their best friend and Savior had experienced the cruel death of crucifixion, and His body had been placed in a tomb. All the hopes that they had felt for so many months had vanished and they were lonely and depressed.

“Simon Peter said to them, ‘’I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also’. (John 21:3). They must have thought that fishing would get their minds off of the pain they were feeling, but they also experienced failure in this endeavor. “They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”

By the time that they must have felt total defeat, they heard this unknown voice from the shore: “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish (John 21:6).

At this point, Peter made an announcement, “It is the Lord!” (v.7). Peter could not wait for the others, but immediately swam to shore. When the other disciples arrived in the boat, they all found the Lord cooking fish over coals of fire, and there was also bread. After they brought the net from the boat to land, there were one hundred and fifty three large fish, but the net was not broken. What a thrill these men must have felt when Jesus said, “come and eat breakfast” (v. 12).

These men have now witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. Once again they listen to His powerful teaching as Peter is restored from his awful denial (vv. 15-19).

Life on earth has many wonderful moments, but there are also times of defeat, pain, and loneliness. However, if we will only take time to look in God’s word, there is the same Savior who is telling us to cast our nets on the right side of the boat. He is telling us that there is another side of life that is beautiful and powerful, and that our boats can be filled!

In the midst of every kind of earthly problems, Paul cast his net on the right side of the boat, and found that overwhelming spiritual catch. He wrote the following message from the cold prison bars in Rome:

“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full,” (Philippians 4:18). What a great catch Jesus had helped Paul make! He could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 4:13). He believed: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

How do our lives compare today? Do we just keep on fishing from the wrong side of the boat with no fish, or do we seek the way of Jesus on the right side of the boat? How do we face the difficulties of disappointments, growing old, diseases, and pain? As our bodies are perishing, are we allowing Jesus to renew our spirit day by day? “...Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

In view of the text, are we casting our nets on the right side of the boat?

Always remember, that those who choose to fish by the instructions of Jesus, will find an overflowing net of fish! —BBBristow