Robin's Reports

John 21:5-7

He (Jesus) called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"

"No," they answered.

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

by Robin

What a beautiful illustration of going from being OUT of God's will to being IN God's will. The disciples were suppose to wait but they grew tired of that and went out fishing instead. Because they did not obey what Jesus had told them, they caught no fish all night long.

As soon as they obeyed Jesus' words even without really recognizing His face, they had more fish than they could haul into the boat. It is a sign that He alone is the true giver of all things. Even fish obey Him. And as if it wasn't already a great story, for a fisherman, I think it gets better.

There is nothing more that a fisherman wishes for than that day when they catch a huge load of fish. They limit out on numbers, ability to contain, ability to manipulate and ability to bring aboard, much like these men. But, the story takes on new meaning when we see Simon Peter jump into the water to see Jesus. Oh, how their love for Jesus was far greater than their love for that "catch of a lifetime". I do not know many, if any, fishermen that would leave a boat like that for a person. Perhaps many wouldn't even leave their boats for Jesus.

Can I tell you a secret? Our boat would be empty on the best of fishing days if we saw Jesus on the shore. There is something so wonderful about walking, talking & living with Jesus in your life. Fishing is wonderful and we have a lot of great memories. But those memories are fleeting compared to the everlasting joy that we have found and will always have in heaven with Jesus. We take pictures, we post them up, we filet the fish, we eat the fish, but then..... it is all gone. There is nothing sustaining about the joy of fishing. It's more like a drug and the high is not satisfying enough. You've always got to get a bigger fish or a different fish or larger catch. With Jesus, we're just happy FOR fish. LOL. Like Paul said in Philippians 4:12, we've learned to be happy with a little or happy with a lot. The important thing is to put Christ first.

Happy Fishing! We'll be offshore Monday.
Robin