"Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn."
John 21:11
John describes an amazing scene. When Peter arrived on the beach after his 100 yard swim on the Sea of Galilee, he found Jesus had prepared breakfast for them.
After a long night of futile fishing, the disciples heard Jesus call out to them in the gray light of the early dawn. He urged them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. These experienced fishermen obeyed, and immediately their nets were filled with a catch of 153 fish. Peter jumped into the water and swam to the shore. He found Jesus standing over a fire.
"So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.' "
John 21:9-10
True fishermen, His disciples counted the catch, but John, a man of experience, added the all important detail, "the net was not torn."
"Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three and although there were so many, the net was not torn."
John 21:11
The backs of the disciples were weary, but their net was no worse for wear. Fishing on the Sea of
Galilee was a tough job carried out by rougher men. Catching fish was hard. Repairing damaged nets made it harder. John's point is well taken.
Yielding control of the process to the voice of Jesus provided His disciples with a catch, without damage control. Too often the contemporary church does whatever it takes to draw their net, but their catch results in collateral damage. In short, the catch they count can't be counted on, and does more damage than good. Wise fishers of men allow Jesus to be their guide to His catch. He is still calling His disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and to draw their net in the right way. It is foolish to take His catch out of His hands. Taking control of His catch may lead to more fish, but manhandling His catch leads to more damage control. But I digress. Back to breakfast.
"Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' "
John 21:12
The Risen Christ initiated a family reunion with the men who had wandered from His Presence, but were never separated from His love. Jesus invited Peter to bring His catch and add it to what Jesus already had. Peter counted his catch, because he valued it. Any fisherman would have done the same thing. The point? Jesus placed more value on Peter's love for Him, than He valued the catch Peter brought to Him.
NOTE TO SELF: Don't miss the real reason Jesus called you. He called you to have intimate communication with Him. More than He called you to do something for Him, Jesus called you to spend time with Him. Jesus didn't serve breakfast to His disciples to celebrate their catch, but to offer His Presence. Jesus let Peter count his catch, and bring it to Him, but He placed more value on the quality of the love Peter held for Him. Fishers of men count people because people count, but they never fall in love with counting people. Do what counts. Fall in love with Jesus.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE
"Revival is when the church falls in love with Jesus all over again." Vance Havner