1 Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there - Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4 At dawn the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they couldn't see who he was. 5.He called out, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" "No," they replied. 6 Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get plenty of fish!" So they did, and they couldn't draw in the net because there were so many fish in it. (John 21:1- 6 New Living Translation - NLT)
Peter went fishing in the company of his associates, namely Thomas, James & John Zebedee (Matthew 4:21,22), Nathanael, "and two other disciples" (v.2). All seven of them "went out in the boat". So they've got a boat. They've got fishing net. There was a large expanse of water available to cast their net. They've got individuals with years of fishing experience (Matthew 4:18-22). They've got each other too! These fellows sure had it all made for them, don't you think? They sure have lot of things going on for them, one might fancy. Except for one thing: "They caught nothing all night"! So much for having all that it takes to get the job done. I hope you haven't forgotten that "unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. (Psalm 127:1-2 NLT)
Notice something in that scripture passage? Peter and his buddies have been fishing all night, and guess what? "They caught nothing all night" (v.3). Quite a night that was. Quite an eventful and thrilling adventure they must have had catching a whole lot of "nothing all night". Good thing the Lord Jesus dropped by. Had the Lord not showed up, who knows how long their futile expedition could have lasted. Good thing Jesus crashed the party.
According to the scripture "every way of a man is right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 21:2 NKJV). Peter and his partners were no exception. "So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night". All that changed when the Lord not only 'gate-crashed' the party but also began to direct the traffic. When you allow him to guide you / direct your path, you can't go wrong. He didn't just tell them to cast their nets, he directed them specifically to the right side. "Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get plenty of fish!" So they did, and they couldn't draw in the net because there were so many fish in it. (John 21:6 NLT)
Oftentimes, the difference between individuals / group of individuals goes along the line of those who are well guided and those who just make their moves anyhow. For instance, there are two groups of individuals who claim to be members of the household of God. Everything seems identical in terms of service and fellowshipping. Yet one side seems to be "like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper." (Psalms 1:3 NLT) The second group on the other hand seems to be "like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind." (Psalms 1:4 NLT) One side seems to be basking in the aura of the Lord's blessing (which includes "living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" - Romans 14:17 NLT). They seem more purposeful and result-oriented. And the other side? Well, not quite. One side makes 100 attempts in order to record 5 hits. The other side scores 8 out of 10 attempts. With the Lord's guidance, living a redundant Christian life is out of question. A life characterized by meaningful and concrete output is more like it. You are not just a Christian by name. Anymore than Peter and his associates would prefer not be fishermen just by name. Do you really think that a person is considered a fisherman because he has a boat, a net, a licence to fish, and bunch of fellows hopping along? Do you really think that the number of hours spent on the sea, and the size of the boat and net makes a person a fisherman? Do you really believe that the definition of fisherman is someone who "went out in the boat", laboured and "caught nothing all night"? Of course, the Lord Jesus understood the response to those rhetorical questions. Why else do you think "he called out, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" "No," they replied. 6 Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get plenty of fish!" So they did, and they couldn't draw in the net because there were so many fish in it. .......... So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn't torn. (John 21:5- 6,11 NLT)
Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. ........ just as you can identify a tree by its fruit ........ (Matthew 7:20,16 NLT)
It is quite rare to identify a tree by its leaves. When at loss about the identity of a tree, it is customary to attempt to look closer and see if there are any fruits hanging from it.
Regarding Peter and company's fishing expedition, I have mused to myself on several occasions about how "it is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat (Psalm 127:1-2 NLT). In 'Peter and Sons' case, it is useless for them to work so hard all night till dawn. They might as well enjoy a good night rest, and wait for the Lord to show up on the beach at dawn to give directions as to where to cast their net. A single move (at the Lord's directive) at dawn beat the team's all-night attempts hands down.
5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5 NLT)
1 When the LORD restored his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the LORD has done for them." 3 Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest (Psalms 126:1-6 NLT)
One may wonder: what is it like to live a life characterized by the Lord's guidance? The Lord's ability to guide is reflected in His words to Joshua: "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you (Joshua 1:3 New King James Version - NKJV). For as long as he was "strong and very courageous", and he "obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do." (Joshua 1:7 NLT) Also, he must "study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed" (Joshua 1:8 NLT). As long as Joshua kept his side of the deal, "the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9 NLT), and He will continually direct his steps, hence "every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you", and "no one will be able to stand their ground against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you" (Joshua 1:5 NLT).
Do keep in mind that when the Israelites left and journeyed to the Promise Land, "the LORD guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night" (Exodus 13:21 NLT). The pace of the movement of the Israelites was not as random as it might have appeared. And His guidance proved to be quite rewarding. Despite the fact that the Israelites were a wandering nation for a period of forty years, the Lord did not hesitate to make His presence felt in terms of healing / good health (Exodus 15:22-25), victory over their enemies / conquest by divine intervention (Exodus 17:8-13 and Joshua 6:1-27), provision of food and water (Exodus 16:11-35 and 17:5-7). Deuteronomy 29:2-9 gives a summary.
15 For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will fear disaster no more. 16 On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid! 17 For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song." 18 "I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more. 19 And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and renown to my former exiles, who have been mocked and shamed. 20 On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction among all the nations of the earth. They will praise you as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!" (Zephaniah 3:15-20 NLT)
With directives from the Heir of God (Hebrews 1:1-4), Peter made one move and became a top contender for 'The Ace Fisherman' award. I bet when he returned home afterwards, he didn't have a fishy story to tell. Rather, his wife got the stunner of her life: 153 fishes - all of which turned out to be large! There are different species of animals in the sea, and they come in various shapes and sizes. How on earth did 153 large fishes (nothing else, just fishes) mysteriously migrated to the right side of the boat, and into the net? At the Lord's command of course! Don't forget that "in the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4 Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. ............ 14 So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father" (John 1:1-4,14 NLT). So if "he created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4 Life itself was in him", how hard could it be for anything in all creation to recognize and respond to his voice and command? Well, the incident recorded in Matthew 8:23-27 NLT leads credence to that.
23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly, a terrible storm came up, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 And Jesus answered, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm. 27 The disciples just sat there in awe. "Who is this?" they asked themselves. "Even the wind and waves obey him!"
Have no fear, my friends, for the Heir is here!
God bless
Yours
Adekunle Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality & excellence
That's the Spirit!
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