Jesus knows us. We have a purpose and a place in this world. He knew His disciples, their hearts, and their motivations. And He would often surprise them in how he would do things, for truly His ways were higher than theirs. It is the same today.
As I was praying, I thought of Jesus telling His disciples to cast their nets before they knew it was Him calling to them, and when they were probably discouraged of having no success in catching fish that night.
John 21:3-8 says:
Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.”
“We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus. So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.
Jesus called to them before they knew it was Him. They had nothing to bring. Their nets were empty. We have nothing to bring. We come empty. Yet, He calls us. He planned it before the foundation of the world. We are saved by grace through faith. We have been called and pursued by our Saviour.
Jesus provided immeasurably more than the disciples could have imagined. They could not haul their net in because there were so many fish. We have everything and more that we could possibly have in Christ. He is our Provider.
Reading from Matthew Henry’s commentary, I was struck by how all of the disciples in the boat had a purpose:
He whom Jesus loved was the first that said, It is the Lord. John had cleaved most closely to his Master in his sufferings, and knew him soonest. Peter was the most zealous, and reached Christ the first. How variously God dispenses his gifts, and what difference there may be between some believers and others in the way of their honouring Christ, yet they all may be accepted of him! Others continue in the ship, drag the net, and bring the fish to shore, and such persons ought not to be blamed as worldly; for they, in their places, are as truly serving Christ as the others. The Lord Jesus had provision ready for them. We need not be curious in inquiring whence this came; but we may be comforted at Christ’s care for his disciples.
Each disciple was there on the boat with their different gifts, personalities and walk with the Lord. But it was Christ who richly provided for them all. He cared for their needs. He knew what they needed before they asked.
The Gospel Net Is Christ’s Finished Work And Our Call To Follow
What is also striking is how Jesus tells Peter to bring some of the fish he had caught. Peter goes aboard, drags the net to the shore, and it doesn’t break. Isn’t it staggering that Jesus said to Peter previously, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18)? Peter would be a fisher of men; the church would be built up and Peter had a leading role in that. People will be brought to Christ like the fish abundantly held in the net; the gospel will never fail because our God is mighty to save.
God is the one who saves. We cannot save anyone, just like the disciples couldn’t catch the fish without Christ. But Jesus still commands us to follow Him and make disciples. And we do this daily. We lay our lives down. We follow Jesus where He sends. That might look like staying at home and bringing life to those who are there. It could be bringing hope in our community. Some days it might look like an empty net and we cannot see the results we long for. But we still follow and trust in Christ who knows what we need and will provide for every need.
Through the good news of Jesus’s death and resurrection, many people have and will continue to be caught by this gospel net. It is strong, secure, and steadfast. It will not break. Jesus has made it clear that He is building His church and nothing will stand against it.
If you are feeling depleted and worn out, like the disciples after a night of catching nothing, may you hear the call of God afresh. Cast your net — the gospel net — and watch what the Lord will do in your daily life, as you trust Him. It is not in your own strength, talents, knowledge or sheer grit that you continue on this journey. You cannot do it. But Jesus has done it all. He will continue to provide for you every day as you trust in Him. May you, like John, declare that “It is the Lord!”
The net of the gospel has enclosed multitudes, yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary
This post first appeared on my Substack ‘Anchored Hope For Her Heart‘. It’s part of a ministry supporting women who are are caregivers through encouragement in Jesus. Find out more: https://ruthclemence.com/anchored-hope-for-her-heart/
Ruth Clemence 