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by Sandy Shaw
We are in John Chapter 21, where Peter and six others return north to the Galilee and go out fishing. Leaders lead positively or negatively. We sometimes do not recognise this fact. These men have been called ‘the unmagnificent seven’.
They were out all night and they had nothing to show for it - nothing. Now, fishing had been something they had been good at. They would feel fairly confident at fishing, but they became so absorbed, momentarily, in the fishing, that they almost forgot about Jesus Christ - risen from the dead.
They are frustrated and fruitless. A week or so ago, Jesus had said to them, "Without Me you can do nothing."
Reasons that sound good are not always good sound reasons.
The dawn comes, and there is that morning mist on the Lake of Galilee. As they look through the mist, they see someone on the shore, but they did not know who it was.
They did not know it was Jesus. Jesus calls to them, "Lads - boys - have you caught anything?"
Jesus knew there was nothing in that boat but disappointed men.
What a challenge for every disciple. This was a scene of complete failure.
Verse 6 - Someone called this the greatest miracle in the Bible – fishermen taking advice from someone on the shore! How many fishermen would do that? Try it, next time you see someone fishing. Offer advice, and stand well back!
But Jesus gave them advice, and they took it. They cast their net the other way.
Now, fishermen are men of habit, and Jesus is saying indirectly, "Get out of your habits. Get away from your traditional routines. Come on, change your thinking."
Jesus can call us and ask us to listen to Him, and do something different, to be prepared to try new methods - a new way - a new approach. We must ever be open to whatever Jesus Christ says.
With just one cast of the net - they catch 153 fish. Something was beginning to happen, and it was John who saw it first.
John saw something unusual and amazing and wonderful and supernatural about this. There was not one fish the entire night - not one fish - then 153 within a minute - when they obey the stranger on the shore.
John remembers what happened three years ago. We read of it in Luke Chapter 5. It is always good to remember what Jesus has done, or has said in the past – something He has revealed - a specific word He has given or spoken.
John says to Peter, "It is the Lord!" What was he thinking? We shouldn't be here. We should be in Jerusalem. He has found us out.
There is one detail of difference. The first time the net broke. This time the net does not break. Jesus had been teaching them how to be effective fishermen, but they were not ready then. Now, they were ready.
Now they were ready - almost - to pull people in - to bring people into the kingdom.
These men are brought from darkness and failure to this dawn of fruitfulness. Going through this process can be terrible, but it is necessary. It is part of the training. It can be a difficult journey. This is never an easy lesson to learn.
Peter puts on some clothes, as if wanting to appear decent before Jesus.
This was the third time Jesus had appeared to these men. Yes, He still wants them.
They have been denying - running away - slow to believe - and even slower to obey. Jesus had spoken reassuring words of peace to these disciples - breathed new life into them - pointed them to the written word. Now He indicates that He still wants them.
They sail in towards the shore, and Jesus has got a fire going, and He is cooking breakfast for them. Now, they all knew who He was. And He knew they were hungry and weary.
Where did He get the fish? Where did He get the bread? How did He light the fire? I don't know, but I know this. Jesus Christ had had supper with these men in the Upper Room and that was the end of something. Now He is having breakfast with them and that is the start of something new.
Come and eat. Let Me feed you. Let Me give to you. Eat and be strengthened.
Jesus realised these disciples were still a bit confused and disappointed and in turmoil. Come, take from My Hands. Yes, Peter I will use you. I have no other plans but you men."
Jesus went to the cross alone, so that He can come close to us when we feel so alone.
Just as they are about to go back to the fishing - back to the old ways - feeling the pull of their old ways to which they have not yet died - Jesus Christ came to rescue these men from what might have been absolute and total disaster.
There can be times when our nets look so empty, and our hopes may be dashed. We may not be where we thought we were going to be at this stage in life. Our sense of letting Jesus down may make us want to jump in the water, wishing the water would go over our heads - such awareness of failure can be this overwhelming.
The risen Jesus come lovingly - looking at us - watching us tenderly - keeping His distance to begin with - so as not to frighten us. Then He says - Eat - go on eat - drink - take what I give you. Let Me strengthen you.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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