By Andrew Williams
John 21:5-8 (NLT): “He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied. Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.”
Good morning fellow disciples.
This passage recounts a miraculous moment of abundance as Jesus appears to His disciples after His resurrection. After a long, fruitless night of fishing, Jesus calls out to them, initiating a transformative encounter. His simple instruction—“Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat”—is met with immediate obedience, and the results are overwhelming. The disciples catch so many fish that they struggle to haul the net in.
This miracle echoes the first time Jesus called some of these disciples to follow Him (Luke 5:4-11), reminding them of His power and provision. It is in their obedience to Jesus’ word that their labor becomes fruitful. When the “disciple Jesus loved” (John) recognizes the miracle as a sign of Jesus’ presence, Peter’s response is immediate and passionate—he jumps into the water to get to Jesus as quickly as possible.
This passage teaches us the importance of obedience to Jesus, even when His instructions may not seem logical. It also redirects our focus to the truth that abundance—both spiritual and physical—comes from following His lead. Jesus is the source of all provision, and He reveals Himself when we trust and obey His word.
Peter’s response is a beautiful demonstration of his love and longing for Jesus. Despite his earlier denial, Peter’s passion to be near the Lord remains undiminished. The moment he realizes it is Jesus, he doesn’t hesitate—he leaves the boat, the fish, and even his companions behind to run to Him. This eagerness reflects a heart that has been restored by grace and is now focused fully on Jesus.
As disciples, Peter’s story empowers us to pursue Jesus with that same urgency and love. His obedience and recognition of the Lord remind us that no failure is too great to keep us from returning to Jesus. When we align our hearts with His will, we experience the abundance of His presence and provision.
Are you striving in your own strength, only to feel like your efforts are fruitless? Redirect your focus to Jesus and His instructions. Like the disciples, be willing to cast your “net” where He directs, even if it doesn’t make sense to you. Trust that His wisdom leads to abundance and fruitfulness—not just in material things, but in your spiritual life as well.
This week, identify one area of your life where you feel stuck or unproductive. Take time to pray and ask Jesus to show you where He wants you to “cast your net.” Be intentional about listening for His guidance and acting in obedience. As you do, trust that He will reveal His presence and provide for your needs in ways that exceed your expectations.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for being the source of all provision and abundance in my life. I confess that I often labor in m y own strength, forgetting to seek Your guidance. Help me to redirect my focus to You, trusting Your wisdom and obeying Your instructions, even when they don’t make sense to me. Like Peter, give me a heart that longs to be near You and responds quickly to Your presence. I commit to walking in obedience and trusting in Your perfect provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.