John 21:4-12 - It's not about the fish

After Jesus had been raised from the dead, he appeared a few times to His disciples. On one occasion, it was after the disciples had spent all night fishing...

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, 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 some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.  John 21:4-6, New Living Translation) 

Jesus told them to go ahead and haul the fish to shore, only to find that Jesus had already prepared breakfast for them: fresh bread and fish, broiling on a charcoal fire. A charcoal fire indicates that Jesus had spent some time preparing the breakfast to be ready at just the right time. (verses 9-12)

This event indicates that Jesus didn't need their help catching fish, but He wanted to include them in the ministry He had in store for them: being fishers of men. {See Thursday, April 8, 2021 - John 21:1–14 - God doesn't need me.}

But it was more than that.

I've spent the past couple days with a long time friend that I haven't seen for several years. He invited me to his part of the country where there are some wonderful streams for trout fishing. Yesterday was a beautiful day, but we spent most of the day drowning worms and snagging fishing lines on Virginia creeper which hung over the banks of the stream. It wasn't until our last hour or so of fishing that we caught anything at all.

While catching some trout for supper was fun, what meant so much was being together.

Jesus didn't want His disciples just for what work He could get out of them. He wanted to share a meal with them. It wasn't about the fish.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You choose us. Not for the work you can get out of us, but simply because You love us, and enjoy us as Your friends. Amen.