Friends, haven't you any?

John 21: 4-8

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

This was the third time Jesus appeared after he was raised from the dead, but the disciples still didn’t realize it was Him. How true is it for us that time and again we come in contact with Jesus but don’t recognize Him? We know, through the Holy Spirit, he has the power and ability to be among us, but it usually takes a miracle for us to recognize Him. Looks like not much has changed since the disciples.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

Of course, Jesus already knew this and knew exactly what he was going to do about it, but he asked anyway. How true is it for us that Jesus knows what we need but still asks, “Friend, haven’t you any… (fill in the blank)?” And when we’re able to honestly answer “No,” He gets to work and tells us what to do.

6 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.

AMAZING! The disciples spent hours fishing with no results, then Jesus shows up and Bam! 153 fish. How true is it for us that if we’d just throw our nets to the “right” side, we’d catch more than what we needed? So why are we always trying to do things our own way and throw our nets to the left? The right side brings abundance, while the wrong side keeps us wanting more. (Disclaimer: this 'right' and 'left' have nothing to do with politics!)

7 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. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

Aw, that moment when something miraculous happens and the light bulb goes off! How true is it for us that once we see God at work we’re finally ready to “jump in”? The truth is, sometimes we need a sign to kick us into gear, but what we should be working towards can be found further in John 21…

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Once we have spent time with Jesus and have seen his great works, hopefully we’re be able to recognize Him anywhere and be comfortable enough to have breakfast not with a stranger, but a best friend.