Daily Devotions
John
John 21:1-25 "AN UNEXPECTED EARLY MORNING RENDEZVOUS"
Day 358 – John 21
AN UNEXPECTED EARLY MORNING RENDEZVOUS
The Disciples had toiled the whole night through but despite their best efforts, they had caught nothing! Few things in life could dampen so badly the spirits of fishermen who return to shore empty-handed!
As the fishermen made their way to shore, they noticed a Man standing there, seemingly waiting for them to return! Who would get up so early in the morning to await the return of some fishermen? Perhaps a family member would do that. That was not an uncommon thing to see. Or could it be a potential buyer of fish who needed some urgently and thus he would take the trouble to go to the seashore to await the docking of the boat? The Disciples did not expect to see Jesus there! Thus they did not pay close attention to the Man standing at the seashore.
“But when the morning had now come, Jesus
stood on the shore, yet the disciples did not know
that it was Jesus.”
John 21:4
When the Disciples were with Jesus, they soon became familiar with His daily routine. He always began the day in prayer. A great while before dawn, Jesus would already be found in prayer. Jesus kept a busy schedule. There were always people who came to Him for healing. Time was always given to preaching to the multitudes. Then there were the occasional encounters with the scribes and Pharisees. The nights concluded with communion with His Father.
But now that Jesus had gone, the Disciples were not quite sure what they ought to do next. They still seemed to be trying to find their feet! They had not succeeded very well thus far. Jesus had already met up with them in Jerusalem, at least twice! He had taught them. He had even breathed on them the Holy Spirit!
Yet, here they were, fishing the whole night through and for all their efforts – they came up empty handed! The Disciples had not yet mastered the practice of spending much time in prayer. They still had difficulty relating to the Spirit of God! They didn’t even sense that the Person at the seashore could have been Jesus! Galilee was not a small place. But of course Jesus knew exactly where to find His Disciples. He knew that they would have gone back fishing!
As the boat drew nearer, Jesus called out to the fishermen.
“Children, have you any food?”
John 21:5
The answer was swiftly given.
“No.”
John 21:5
The tired fishermen did not seem to be in a mood for small talk at all.
A FAMILIAR VOICE FULL OF AUTHORITY
The fishermen then heard what seemed to be a familiar voice. The Voice said,
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,
and you will find some.”
John 21:6a
What was this Man saying? Didn’t He know that fish would not be found so near to the shore? Why any good fisherman would know that good fishing would be best done at night, and in deeper waters.
But there was no denying the authority behind the Voice. The fishermen found themselves obeying that Voice! Despite the fact that they had let down their nets so many times through the night, they let down their net one more time!
“So they cast, and now they were not able to
draw it in because of the multitude of fish.”
John 1:6b
What was this? How could this be? This was impossible, but true nonetheless! All through the night, the Disciples had toiled but had caught nothing! Yet, with just one word of advice, and suddenly there were so many fish that they could not draw the net in easily! Who was the Person who told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat?
MEMORY OF A SIMILAR EVENT
This had happened before, had it not? It was a few years ago now when a similar incident took place. Simon, Andrew, James and John were in their boats and they had toiled but had caught nothing. Jesus then said to Peter,
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets
for a catch.”
Luke 5:4
There was a sign-miracle soon after Peter replied and said,
“Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;
nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Luke 5:5
Luke noted that they caught so many fish that their nets were breaking! Peter at that point of time recognized who Jesus was! He was the Lord! And in His Presence, Peter had felt terribly sinful!
Jesus then replied and said,
“Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”
Luke 5:10
The Disciples had failed the Lord, had they not? What was the point of having such memories? What was happening? Why was there a “repeat” of the miraculous catch of fish? Who was this Man standing at the seashore? Could it really be Jesus?