Intro: In our passage today, the disciples have decided to go fishing. Fishing is familiar and the disciples need to do something that brings them comfort. They are still trying to process the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and what it all means for Israel. They know they are to meet Jesus in Galilee, but there are still so many unknowns. Perhaps the disciples are wondering what is to become of them now? Or, will Jesus continue to provide for his own? The answers to those questions are swimming their way.
Even though the disciples are knowledgable fishermen, they encounter a fruitless night of fishing. They find no comfort from their own hard work. Remarkably, finding people in fruitless places is Jesus’ specialty. The Lord always seems to add his miraculous substance to our lack; we cannot take credit for grace, can we?
No matter how much knowledge we may gain in a certain area—and certainly knowledge is good—we will always require the supernatural work of God to take us into miraculous results. None of Jesus’ instructions make sense in the natural—“Put your net over the right side of the boat”—yet, it makes perfect sense for the supernatural. By this miracle, the disciples realize the man on the shore is the Risen Christ—the Lord—in whom all comfort and provision is found. When you experience a miraculous work of grace, you know the Lord is involved and has chosen to provide for you.
John 21:1-11 The Risen Christ Talks to His Followers
1 After this, Jesus again showed Himself to His followers at the lake of Tiberias. It happened like this: 2 Simon Peter and Thomas who was called the Twin and Nathanael from the town of Cana in the country of Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two other followers were all together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” The others said, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into a boat. That night they caught no fish.
4 Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore of the lake. The followers did not know it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They said, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Put your net over the right side of the boat. Then you will catch some fish.” They put out the net. They were not able to pull it in because it was so full of fish.
7 Then the follower whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard it was the Lord, he put on his fisherman’s coat. (He had taken it off.) Then he jumped into the water. 8 The other followers came in the boat. They were pulling the net with the fish. They were not far from land, only a little way out.
9 When they came to land they saw fish and bread on a fire. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went out and pulled the net to land. There were 153 big fish. The net was not broken even with so many.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your generous provision for our lives and for the miraculous way you work to communicate and deliver grace to us. Thank you for bringing provision to our lack. In Jesus’ name. Amen.