Gone Fishin’

Gone Fishin’

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. John 21:4-6

Fishing? That’s what He calls us to do with Him?

Because fishing is my favorite hobby, I can appreciate these verses. Unfortunately, I have spent days on the water when my companions and I just didn’t catch anything.

Here, some of the disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, still grumbling about a disappointing night of fishing. Blame it on luck or the tides, but they had caught nothing. This happened about a week after Jesus had been crucified, buried, and miraculously raised from the tomb and began to reappear to hundreds of people in the area.

Now it is early morning, and the disciples are back at it when they hear someone call out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” came the reply, the disciples not realizing who they were talking to.

“Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some.” And indeed they did, more than they could haul in by themselves. As soon as they saw a net teeming with fish, they knew who had given them the fishing tip.

Jesus is simply reminding the disciples of all He had tried to teach them when He was with them before He died. He had built into their lives—selecting and teaching them, equipping and encouraging them, and then sending them into the world. He forbade them to stay in the classroom; He wanted them to have hands-on experience in the field. That’s what it was all about. He sent them out to fish for the souls of men, women, and children—as He had demonstrated with them by His side. He sent them out to make a difference in the world. To change lives. To love the unloved. To feed the hungry. To heal the sick.

It’s something the Lord asks us to do too: if we faithfully cast out the net, He’ll be responsible for what comes back in.

Uncommon Key > Are you ready to go fishing? Look for places where the “fishing” doesn’t seem too promising and watch what God can do through you.