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Jesus didn’t really need their fish, but He was asking for their cooperation.

Some Questions That Lead to an Assignment

John 21:1-8

In this passage, the disciples are in an in-between time. They have just lived through the disappointment and pain of all that transpired leading up to the Crucifixion. They are trying to make sense of the Resurrection. The disciples are suffering from a disappointment hangover. Their dreams of what following the Messiah would be like were shattered, and they are trying to make sense of what is happening now.

Simon Peter does what many people do – he reverts to what is familiar. He invites the others to go fishing, but they come up empty. Yet right where they are, Jesus shows up.

The good news is Jesus is there even on the nights when you catch nothing, even when you're suffering from a disappointment hangover. Verse 4 says early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus. In the no-fish night, they didn't recognize Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven't you any fish?” He wanted them to see their present state!

When they had answered His question, Jesus had a command for them. “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.” (verse 6)

The disciples might have said, “Hey, we're professional fishermen. The evening is when you catch them, not the morning, but since you're the Lord, we will do what you say.”

They didn't recognize Jesus in the no-fish night, but they did recognize Him in the all-catch morning. It can be easier to see His leading when things are going our way, but that does not mean He is not always there, waiting for us to look to Him.

Notice that when they got to the shore, Jesus already had a fire, fish, and bread, yet Jesus asked for some of their fish. Jesus didn't need their fish; He was asking for their cooperation. Remember, God is going to make it. He's asking us to cooperate, to give our time and talents to Him.

Dr. Ron Blake, VP for Institutional Advancement at Nazarene Bible College