I love the gospel of John. John loved to be close to Jesus. They were tight. At the cross, Jesus spoke to only two people directly, John and His mother, Mary. Jesus presented John with an important role, that he was a son to Mary and that Mary would be John’s mother. Jesus could not talk above a whisper, but John was close enough to Him to hear. Jesus was not doing any miracles at this time but was saying something life changing. Do you still want to be close to God when He’s not answering your prayers or doing miracles? Our proximity to Jesus sometimes depends on what we’re getting from Him, what we hear Him saying. Stay close and you might hear your destiny.
In John 21:1-14, we have the account of the disciples following Jesus’ resurrection. They had fished all night but caught nothing. At daybreak, Jesus appeared and asked “Do you have any fish?” Their answer, “No”. Jesus’ response, “Cast the net on the right side and you will find some.” Pay attention to that word, “some”.
Think about the context of this moment. Jesus has risen. The strain of the crucifixion was over and He has appeared to them twice before. For some reason, they were stalled. You would think they would have been inspired to go and help others believe and become followers of Jesus, doing what they were created to do. But they were not motivated yet. Peter went back to what he was doing before he met Jesus. Why would he go back to the same old lifestyle after all he had seen? Why do we go back? God has got so much more in store for us. When God calls you to the unusual, why go back to the usual?
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. The direction of our life is mostly determined by the voices we respond to. We have nothing without Him. But, when Jesus asks how we are doing or if we need help, we say “I’m good”, “I know what I’m doing.” This is pride and it keeps us away from what God has for us. Tell God you need His help. He will step in. Cast your net on the other side. Do what He tells you and you will find some. What you long for is nearer than you think. Those men looked all night. They were hungry, weary, and hopeless. They’d known this area to be full of fish in the past. Everything used to be so different, but old habits don’t produce new results. What they had toiled for was not far away. It was just on the right side of the ship. What about your catch? Don’t quit. It’s been long, but don’t give up. Don’t stop. Cast your net again and you’ll find some. Jesus said “some” but they could not haul in all they caught. Jesus’ “some” was more than they could handle. Jesus’ “some” can turn your world upside down. He has the unthinkable in mind for you. Your part is to endure and to keep asking and seeking Him. Humble yourself and ask. Have you messed up so many times you think you’ve struck out? It’s never “three strikes and you’re out” when you’re playing with your Father. What we desire most is near. God is the God of the impossible.
Never be afraid to change your methods. You’ve been fishing on the left, but don’t be afraid to fish on the other side. We try our way too long. Invite Jesus. Pull Him into what you’re doing. Samaria was avoided by the Jews because the people had intermarried and had lost the Jewish way. But Jesus goes through Samaria, talks with a woman who was utterly rejected by everyone, and a revival breaks out. Get out of your ritual. Change things up. Do something new, something different. Raise your hands in worship. Join a small group or a serve team at church. You might just find what you’ve been searching for. When you allow your steps to be changed up, the enemy will not be able to anticipate your next move. He can’t lock in on you. Cast off religion and get out your rut and routine.
Christ can manage our lives better than we can. Surrender your life to Him and apply what you learn. Release control to God. As the disciples arrived on shore, a fire of coals with bread and fish were waiting for them. In Jesus’ resurrected state, He did not need these things but He had what the disciples were looking for. He helped them find what they were looking for so He could get revelation to them. He used the fish to get the disciples to where He was. Answered prayer is not so you can have what you want but it’s so you will get in His presence. What they were casting for, He had already caught, cleaned, and cooked. Everything we need or are looking for is found in Him. Get to where He is. We spend a life looking for things to satisfy us but seek Him first. He has what we need. When Jesus builds a fire, it is not in preparation for what you’re bringing to Him, but for what He’s already prepared for you.
Do you need peace? Are you thirsty? Are you looking for a life? Do you need a Savior? He’s got it all. Lean into Him. He loved the disciples so much that He visited them a third time. He’s already prepared your next thing. He has a fire going with bread and fish. They were looking for fish. But, no matter how long they fished, they were never going to pull bread from the sea. He had bread for them first. He has what you are not even looking for but what He wants to give you. Seek Him and the bread will be there. He has everything you need… and then some.
