" 'Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.' So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' "
John 21:6-7a
John's account of The Risen Christ reveals a confrontation between Jesus and His wayward and weary disciples. Standing on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus could see into their empty boat. It revealed to Him the results of His disciples' futile, all night effort at fishing. Jesus can still see into your boat.
It was not unusual for fishermen to have spotters on the shore watching for any sign of fish moving on the lake. From a higher point on the land, friends and family would be able to see a school of fish swirling near the surface of the lake. They would often shout to fishermen to row in the right direction.
Jesus was not chiding His disciples for their failure to accomplish what they set out to do. He was offering His help to finish what they set out to do. Without hesitation, they wisely followed His advice. Wise disciples still do.
"Delayed obedience is still disobedience."
Henry Blackaby
Peter left Jerusalem, after Jesus met with him and the rest of the disciples in the Upper Room. Jesus had breathed on them and exhorted them to 'Receive the Holy Spirit." When Peter returned home to the Sea of Galilee, he set out to do the one thing he knew how to do. Focusing on fishing without the filling of the Holy Spirit always results in an empty boat.
These disciples would not be the last followers of Jesus to experience the death of a vision. Their personal plans and dreams had been crushed by the death of Jesus. The Risen Christ had revealed to them the power of the resurrection, but unsure about their future, they sought comfort in resurrecting their past. Jesus revealed Himself to them in the present tense, to bury their past and to give them a future and a hope. The power of the resurrection still does.
"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to him, 'We will also come with you.' They went out and got into the boat and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus."
John 21:3-4
When Jesus arrived on the scene, He asked His disciples if they had any fish. Ttey had to admit to Him they had failed at the one thing they knew how to do. Peter was focused on his past, filling a boat with fish. The Risen Christ intended to fill focus Peter the one thing he needed the most, being filled with the Spirit.
When Peter and the disciples cast their nets on the right side of the boat, they discovered the elusive catch. As the morning sun rose over the mountains, it dawned on John that their catch was not a matter of good luck or hard work. He could see the hand-prints of Jesus all over it. In truth, it was not their catch. It was His catch. John gave Jesus all the credit for it. Wise disciples still do.
"The disciple that Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' "
NOTE TO SELF: There is a huge difference between casting your net on the right side of the boat, and continuing your futile effort to cast it on the wrong side of the boat. The key to the catch is your immediate obedience to the voice of Jesus. He longs to give you the Father's direction, protection and correction. When Jesus prayed He yielded to the Father's will for His life. You should too. When you remain prayerless, you keep taking your own advice, and you keep missing the catch He has for you. Remember. Here's the catch. When Jesus gives it to you, receive it from Him, and give Him all the credit for it.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!