Greetings!
In John 21:1-14, we can another post-resurrection story. It is about a miraculous catch of fish that Jesus performed for his disciples. They got 153 fish which is probably the St. Peter’s Fish or Tilapia. This fish is abundant in the Sea of Galilee even until now.
Here are three things that we can learn from this story:
Firstly, this story emphasizes the importance of obedience.
In this story, we see that the disciples had been fishing all night but had caught nothing. When Jesus appeared on the shore and instructed them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, they could have easily dismissed his suggestion. After all, they were experienced fishermen and had already tried every possible spot, and more importantly, they do not recognize him yet.
Interestingly, instead of arguing or questioning the man in the shore, they chose to obey him. The 3 years of being with Jesus must have opened their minds to other possibilities. As a result of their obedience, they witnessed a miraculous catch of fish. This reminds us that even when things seem impossible, we must remain obedient to God’s commands and trust in His plan.
Secondly, this story shows us the love and provision of Jesus.
As the disciples struggled to catch any fish, Jesus appeared to them and offered them a solution.
Jesus did not leave them on their own. He provided them with an abundance of fish and a meal to sustain them. This story is a reminder that the provision of God will always be available to us. We must trust that God will intervene and provide us of our needs.
Thirdly, this story challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities.
When John the Beloved recognized Jesus, it was Peter who was jumped off the boat. It is good to note that only one jumped and left behind the catch of fish. The others remained in the boat. This shows us that we must be willing to let go of our worldly possessions and priorities in order to follow Jesus. We must be willing to put our faith and trust in Him, even when it means giving up things that we value or prioritize.
This story reminds us of the importance of obedience, the power of God’s provision, and challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications