1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “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.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 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. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Read John 21:1-14 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
During the disciples fishing trip following the resurrection, I see an amazing response and reaction at the point Jesus is identified. In this event, there were two ways that the disciples respond, and while we may focus more on one of the responses than the other, both are acceptable, because both ultimately lead to Jesus.
After the disciples throw their nets on the other side of the boat and catch more than a boatload of fish, they realize that the stranger on the shore must have been Jesus. John describes what happened next by saying, “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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.” (v. 7-8)
It would be easy for us to focus on Peter’s response. As soon as he had confirmation of his suspicion that Jesus was the man on the shore, he leaves everything and focuses on moving towards Jesus. In a similar way, we should never let anything stop us or distract us away from moving towards Jesus.
However, the other disciples in the boat dragging the net full of fish also come, but at a slower rate. While they were not far from the shore, they come with their catch. At this point, they don’t realize that Jesus already has fish cooking, and they are more than happy to supply fish for their breakfast meal.
We can see two offerings in this event as well. When Peter arrives at Jesus, he has only himself to offer, and he is happy to do so. When the other disciples arrive, not only do they have themselves, but they also have their catch of fish.
Both gifts are accepted, and both are examples for us. First and foremost, we should offer ourselves to Jesus so we can be used by Him as part of a much bigger plan than we could even imagine. But also, if we have things that God can use, we should be willing to give them up for Him as well. Nothing should get in the way of our focus on Jesus, and if we have things that Jesus can use, we should bring them as gifts for Him.
Our lives, our stuff, and our wealth are all acceptable gifts to God – but the thing He wants the most is our hearts, because that is what He ultimately will save for eternity, and this is the most valuable gift we can bring Him. It is a gift that anyone can give, and it is the most important gift we have to offer.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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