Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the
disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to
them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
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.
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. When they landed, they saw a
fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them,
“Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 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. Jesus said to them, “Come and have
breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it
was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same
with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples
after he was raised from the dead. John 21:4-14
Years
ago, I ran the children’s ministry at the church I served at in California. (I
also had adult ministries and led worship – but we’re not going to go there.
When a church starts out small, you grow with it.)
Like
every other children’s pastor on the planet, I had a regular need for new
teachers to replace the exhausted ones. In fact, one teacher put it this way,
“Now that I’m in the sixth year of my one year commitment, I was wondering if I
could take a break?” I couldn’t really accuse her of being unfaithful. (I hope
you understand that this is a bit tongue in cheek.)
My
usual process of recruiting new teachers involved a great deal of thinking and
a greater amount of worry. What if I don’t find any teachers? What if I have to
teach all of the kids myself? What if in the process of keeping this plate
spinning, my other plates stop spinning?
I
would think about all of the adults in our church. Then, I would think about
why they would turn me down. Then, I would think about anybody who was
relatively new to the church and might take my call. Then, I would worry some
more.
After
I had approached my list of “usual suspects,” I would face a certain number of
rejections – often 100 percent. I would consider quitting my job. “What did
hotel desk clerks make these days?”
I
would fantasize about a church where volunteers lined up at my door – where
their constant obsession was God’s calling on their life and other than that
they had relatively no life – but then, I would wake up and realize that no one
else was probably like me. Then, I would finally reach the end of my horded
resources or lack thereof.
As
a last resort, I would pray and ask God to give me the two or so teachers that
I needed. And, He always came through. Within days all of the children had loving,
dedicated teachers, and the stress was gone.
Why
did I put myself through that over and over again? Why didn’t I just seek Jesus
first? Well, I am actually that dumb at times.
The
disciples had been successful enough as fishermen to actually make a living.
After a night of fishing, they had caught nothing. They were at the end of
their rope. The Kingdom of God didn’t seem to pan out, and now fishing became
unreliable as well. But, here’s what they didn’t understand – if Jesus isn’t in
it, even success is a failure.
Sure
we can “McGyver” our lives for a while, but bailing wire and duct tape can only
take us so far. If we only attempt what we can manage, then don’t be surprised
if nothing supernatural takes place. If the natural is working, then the
supernatural is unnecessary.
If
we believe that outcomes are up to us, then we need to dethrone ourselves as
the master of the universe and allow God to take His proper place in our lives.
It’s hard to be in need and not control the means. But, for the disciples on
that day a miraculous catch brought in with miraculous nets gave them one more
reason to trust in Jesus.
What
are you worried about right now? They say that if you think about something
three or more times a day, then you’re worried about it. What is that worry?
What do you feel that you must accomplish on your own? What is making you lose
sleep at night? Isn’t it time to give that over to God?
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