Sometimes, we are tempted to allow discouraging thoughts to enter our minds, thoughts that say, “Give up.” Wait! All of the artificial evidence to give up can be quickly defeated by a second thought from “the voice” that comes as a little light of inspiration speaking: “Try, Try again.”
“And He (Jesus) said to them (disciples), Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. (John 21:6) Upon hearing that, they therefore cast their net, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”
We know that Christ is always in authority and in command in every situation. He has dominion and proves it by His crucifixion and His resurrection. Here, He is presented like a person who sees that the fishermen have been trying to decide, having thought over it long and hard, but can’t come to the right conclusion on their own of just where to look for the fish at the right place and the right time. Here comes someone (the disciples did not know it was Jesus).
It’s like Jesus comes and like makes a suggestion to them. It reminds me of the man Jesus healed of his 38 years of paralysis. He says, “Do you want to be made whole?” Jesus in His “seeking” brings in an alternative solution. TRY ME!
In this scripture, John 21:6, He does not command that they do anything. He gives advice like just another person, an onlooker. He just says, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.”
It’s like they said, “Let’s try it. After all we haven’t had any good catch up til now, so we just may as well, listen to what He’s saying. He spoke with such authority…you will find.” Wow! And what happens after that! The disciples, being at a loss what to do, readily obey him. Though they did not know who he was.
If someone had come before the first casting of the net, and said this, what do you suppose would have happened? They may have looked with question mark faces and most likely they would not have so quickly obeyed. But, look at it like this – “we’ve been out here all night. We caught nothing.”
At this point, they were submissive and may be desperate. They had already been worn out by long and unproductive toil. Don’t we get like that sometimes?! We may labor at a project for hours, and even years. Then finally, we turn our minds to the all-knowing Lord God for help!
Our own resourceful ideas have run out. Everything we did didn’t work. They have proven themselves to be patient and persevering. We need to be very thoughtful and not give up. The great reward may be just around the corner.
They had labored unsuccessfully during the whole night and continued their toil after the return of daylight. If we wish to allow an opportunity for the blessing of God to descend on us, we ought constantly to expect it; for nothing can be more unreasonable than to withdraw the hand immediately from labor, if it do not give promise of success.
It’s like, “pray without ceasing.” Don’t give up. Remember the widow who kept coming to the unjust judge and finally when it appeared like she was going to give him a black eye, the judge granted her request. Believe and expect that “the only one true God” will only reward us for our long labor and persistence.
Remember! Keep positive expectation and looking forward to success. Look for the reward when we are doing His work. The disciples had labored in earnest; and yet they did not hesitate to cast the net again to make another try, that they may not neglect any opportunity. The hope inside themselves propelled them to try one more time when “the voice” spoke to them, “Cast your net on the right side. You will find.”
They hear him speak as a person who was unknown to them. Sometimes our calling does become laborious. However, we have this assurance. Now, if we dislike our calling because the labor which we undertake appears to be unproductive, yet, when the Lord exhorts us to steadiness and perseverance, we ought to take courage – in the end we shall obtain a happy result, but it will be at the proper time.
Timing is everything. We have heard that said many times. There is a right time and a right season. Our calling may be very difficult and sometimes appear to be impossible, but our Lord continues to labor right alongside beside us. You remember He said, “My father works, and I work” (John 5:17).
Lord Jehovah didn’t stop working and being busy after His six days of creation. No. Even now, He works. Remember that God doesn’t punch in on a timeclock. He surrounds everything. He is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. That’s saying a lot! Christ exhibits His Divine power.
The draught of fishes was beyond their expectations. You know when the Lord says He will bless us exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask, think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He means that! By His concealed power, He preserved the net whole, which otherwise must unavoidably have been broken in pieces.
This tells us something as well. Remember when the scriptures say, “He emptied himself.” He never lost His divinity. He was fully God and fully man. His divinity was concealed, but always there. He veiled Himself in flesh. He did not lose any of His power or authority in the incarnation.
The disciples find burning coals on the shore. Fishes are laid on them. Bread is also prepared. He had prepared breakfast for them! As to the number of the fishes, we ought not to look for any deep mystery in it. Jesus is “the miracle worker.” He is miraculous, wondrous and glorious. Let’s keep following Him.
“Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible”. (Public domain.) https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/john-21.html. 1840-57.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A., 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) All articles are copyright. (c) ”Inquiring Minds Want to Know” All rights reserved © Reference: The Holy Bible New Testament, Errors? Let me know. Join Sundays music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751} References: Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible. Don’t stop praying and hoping.