“And when he had left speaking he said unto Simon, put out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answered and said, Master we toiled all night and caught nothing; but at thy word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:4, 5).

“They (the disciples) went into the boat and that night they took nothing . . . And he (Jesus) said unto them, cast the net on the right side of the boat and ye shall find. They cast therefore and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” (John 21:3, 6.)

Christians, of course, believe that Jesus rose from the grave and conquered death. But God wants us to do more than believe this. He also wants us to serve this risen Saviour. With this in mind the Scriptures tell us what kind of risen Lord He is. After all, we must know whom we serve. Therefore the Scriptures relate not only the history of the resurrection itself, but also accounts of several appearances of Christ. There were at least ten in all, all in different circumstances and settings. In each one of them there is an important lesson. The appearance we now recall was connected with the fishing of the disciples, beautifully telling us what and who He really is as the risen Saviour, and what he does and can and will do for those who listen to Him as He speaks in His Word.

Several disciples went fishing. They had gone to Galilee, in the north, as Christ had instructed them to do. Christ was not with them physically, as previously. Everything was different from former times. Apparently they had been here for some time, perhaps several days. And they waited and waited. Finally Peter again took the lead and decided to go fishing. The others joined him. They did this, perhaps just to do something, perhaps because they needed food or fish to sell for income, or perhaps because they had no idea what would now happen to them as “former” followers of Christ. Thus they returned to their former occupation.

It is interesting that what we read further is much like what had happened before, as recorded in Luke 5. There are many similarities between Luke 5 and John 21. but also remarkable differences. We find similarities in that in both instances they went fishing all night, that they caught nothing, that Jesus instructed them to cast the net into the water, and that at both times they caught a large number of fish. Notice also the differences and the progress in revelation. The first time Jesus was with them physically. The second time, as the risen Lord. He was with them indeed but on shore. Also, the first time, in Luke 5, the net broke, but not now. In other words, fishing was much better this way and they would be much more successful and blessed when He is with them as the spiritual, risen Lord than when He was with them before His resurrection.

Notice the people whom Christ was instructing and encouraging. First of all there were the disciples, the fishers of men. They were given the special office of apostleship. That office no longer exists. It is no longer necessary. But we do have the special offices of pastors, elders and deacons, as well as that of the office of all believers. And let us never minimize the latter. Pastors, professors and missionaries are important, but surely also teachers, many workers in the church and, last but not least, fathers and mothers in our homes. Each one in his and her own place is called upon to be a kingdom worker. Aren’t we all going to be judged after a while according to our works?

We observe the fact that the disciples caught nothing. In the whole long night, not one fish got caught in the net. As Jesus taught those followers long ago, without Him we can do nothing. It is important to all of us to learn this—pastors, parents, all kingdom workers. The Lord wanted to emphasize this. Therefore they must catch nothing. What a miracle it was that later they caught so many fish with the net on the other side. But it appears to have been a similar miracle that all that night they caught nothing. The risen Lord, with His spiritual power and “remote control” can control the course of every fish in the sea, of hundreds, perhaps thousands of them, so that not even one will get in the way of the net. Without Christ, His presence and the blessing and power of the Spirit, we can do absolutely nothing! Learning this, we think less of ourselves and become more humble. Learning this, we look away from ourselves and our own ability and ingenuity and we turn to Him in prayer.

“Cast the net on the other side of the boat,” was the command. Wouldn’t we expect at least one of the disciples to have replied by saying, “But that’s not going to make any difference—only moving the net over a few feet?” God’s ways and God’s instructions often don’t seem to make sense. In fact, at times His ways and commands seem wrong to us. With our spiritual calculators we try to determine what the result of a certain action or program will be. But the lesson we must learn is to be obedient to the Word. In obedient faith the disciples must cast the net on the other side. They listened. And blessed are all those who listen in child-like obedience and trust.

What amazing results the disciples experienced when they believed and obeyed. All God’s obedient children and workers may experience similar amazing blessings.

The disciples caught one hundred fifty–three fish, big ones. Why is the number given? Likely because it is just incredible that in such a short time, with this obedience to His command, they could catch so many big fish. And the net did not break—an added assurance of success to people who listen to Him.

How could all this take place? I imagine that the disciples thought about this marvelous experience and history many times in the subsequent years. Jesus not only arose from the grave, but what a power He now has. How could He control the courses of all those fish under the water, and at great distances? There’s only one answer to all such questions. We believe in miracles which we shouldn’t try to understand. How important this message is to us in our particular, often difficult situations. As a Christian, don’t ask how this or that can be done, or why? Believe in the risen Lord who has “remote control” also today over all things happening in our lives, in the church, in the world and with our children. In Him God’s providence governs all these minute details. It is He who watches over “worthless” sparrows, who counts the hairs on our heads every day of our lives, knows our thoughts from afar and knows all our need, heartaches and cares.

He not only arose from the grave, He also ascended into heaven, and was given all authority in heaven and on earth.

To the disciples He said, “Cast your net on the other side of the boat.” To us He says, “Live by My Word, listen to it, obey it, be subject to it. And you shall be blessed, in an abundant measure.” With true obedience, our cups will overflow. That’s His promise.

One more detail should get our attention. The disciples came to the shore. Breakfast was ready for them, the common food of the day, broiled fish and bread. Notice, Jesus who had prepared the breakfast, did not take of the fish the disciples had caught to be used for their breakfast. The lesson, no doubt, is that their calling is to be fishers of men and obedient to His Word. And He will provide for all of their physical needs. For all of us this implies that not the material things, and the secular, but the spiritual should be our aim in life. And seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, He will give us all we need physically. Matt. 6:33.

The apostle John concludes this great “story” by saying that this was the third time that Jesus as the risen Lord had been manifested to the disciples. What a manifestation it was! It is given to us that we may know that we have this kind of risen Saviour. He lives today and will never leave His people (Matt. 28:20). As the one who has conquered our death, He assures us that He is in control of all the experiences of our lives, and that He will give blessings beyond measure . . . to all who are obedient to His Word.