Month: October 2024

John 17:16-18; 21:1-6

My late husband, Willie Breland, Jr., was a fisherman; his belief was that if you had not caught anything in one place in 30 minutes, leave and go someplace else. These fishermen, however, chose to have a night of fishing. They did not know that there at the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) they would see Jesus as promised. Jesus is purposeful in His doings; He knew this was the ideal place to appear to them together. Before His crucifixion, He prayed for His disciples. He declared their relationship with Him; they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (John 17:16). Jesus asked the Father to sanctify My disciples through Your Word, which is truth (John 17:17). He prayed that just as the Father sent me into the world, I am sending My disciples into the world (John 17:18).

After a night of unsuccessful fishing, morning came. Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Him. He addressed them as “Children” and asked if they had any meat; they answered, “No.”

He directed them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, and they will find some (John 21:6, NKJV). They did, and their catch was so great they were not able to draw it in. This symbolized that believers are unsuccessful outside the presence of Jesus. When they obey Christ, it leads them to miraculous blessings. “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful” (Prov. 16:20, NLT).

Lift up your voice and give God glory!  

John 21:1-6

In this passage Jesus manifested Himself for the third time after His resurrection (Matt. 28:7). This is how it happened. Seven of His apostles, including Simon Peter, were together at the sea of Tiberias. By revealing Himself to the group, they might be joint witnesses of the same matter of fact and could corroborate one another’s testimony (Matthew Henry). 

Simon Peter said he was going fishing; the others said they were going also. Immediately they went out and got into the boat. That night of fishing was unsuccessful; they caught nothing. However, these disciples were here because the angelic message to the women at the tomb was to tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him (Matt. 28:5-7). Jesus purposefully had His disciples meet Him in Galilee and allowed them to have an unsuccessful night of fishing. He had a plan to turn things around. 

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus (v.4). Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No” (v.5). And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the of the boat and you will find some. So, they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish (v.6). 

Lift up your voice and give God glory!