“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Partnering with someone can be as simple as agreeing to go with them. Fisherman know how to fish….but they have to have days where they don’t catch fish so they can appreciate days when they do..catch fish…lots and lots and lots of FISH.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
How can you not recognized your best friend…let alone Jesus???
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
I can almost here Jesus chuckling to himself on the shore.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
(Disciples thoughts perhaps?) Ok Mr. Smarty Pants…we’ve been fishing allllll day…but just to amuse you…They have to be humble enough to accept HELP…or ADVICE…like throw your nets on the other side of the boat advice… that sounds kinda silly.
When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Or be willing to admit they were wrong when they spent an entire day fishing on the wrong side of the boat.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
And when its God…say its God!
Be willing to jump out of a boat…or take a leap…because when its Jesus its Jesus and nothing else matters!
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
Because sometimes even 100 yards in a boat is too far away from Jesus… and jumping is the only logical solution…to reach him as quickly as possible.
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Where did the fish already on the fire come from? We don’t know…but it doesn’t matter…because it was never really about fish after all….it was about being…with…Jesus…and recognizing who He is.
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
It’s ok to be shocked when a net full of BIG BIG FISH doesn’t break…because it should.
Call a miracle a miracle…I dare you!
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
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Jesus, I forget to see you in the small things…the things that are just as much miracles as some of the crazy crazy big stuff you’ve done in my life. Sometimes its the little things that add up to big nets of fish. Help me to recognize you MORE CLEARLY…and to appreciate things small or BIG that you do in my every day existance! Cause me to PAUSE…and PRAISE you!
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The scripture was read at a women’s retreat I went to this weekend. There were so many little things that added up to an awesome weekend. Cool conversations…visions…quotes…worship…FOOD…friendly people…hugs……a can of soda…and a time where folks could share about their ministries…I had a couple folks donate towards my trip and some who are interested in following my blog. I am soooo thankful God had me come to this…it was exactly what I needed…and it was a little reminder that He knows just what side of the boat I should throw my net!
