If it were a snake, it would have bitten me. I’ve heard that saying all my life. Where is my car key? Right there on the counter. If it was a snake, it would have bitten me. Where is the peanut butter? On the shelf right in front of me. Glad that wasn’t a snake; I’d have been bitten. Where is my phone? It’s in my hand. If it had been a snake… well, you get the gist.
I know the snake idiom is used when looking for an object – something usually right in front of me – but I think it could also be used when I’m looking for solutions. Why can’t I see the answer when it’s right in front of me?
While several of the disciples were fishing one day, they heard a man calling to them from the shore. None of them recognized Jesus at first as he yelled: “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. (John 21:5-6, NIV)
This meeting is not long after the resurrection, and Jesus has already appeared to them twice. The first time was in the upper room when he offer them peace and showed them his scars. The second time was in front of Thomas who wanted the same evidence as the others. Those two times are more about helping them realize that he is alive – his body is proof of his resurrection complete with scars. This third time, though, he points out something that is right there in front of them… and it’s not really about the fish.
What if we view the boat as a symbol of the Church and the net as the sharing of the Gospel? Whether we want to recognize the giver of instructions or not, Jesus always calls out to us and asks if we have what we need. When we cast the net in the right direction, we pull converts into the faith. Once the disciples are on shore, Jesus invites them to add their own catch to what he has already prepared.
Why did I not see this before? This story is helping me understand that when we work without Jesus leading us, we likely fall short of accomplishment. When we act according to Jesus’ word, we find immeasurable success. From the rest of the story in John 21, I see that Jesus provides for us spiritually, physically, whatever we need. Our path toward fulfillment is already prepared, and our work is meant to add to the feast.
One of the most interesting points to me is that, even though they had been ineffective in catching fish throughout the night, they were fishing. Jesus didn’t have the fish jump into the boat; Jesus used the men and their available tools. Sounds like blessings come to those who have been trying to do the right thing with the resources they have. What’s more, when they listened with a willingness to make changes, the resulting progress was enormous. I think that when I listen for Jesus’ instructions, I may find that I’ve been fishing in the wrong spot. I need to be willing to change my methods and solely seek God’s will.
In his famous commentary, Matthew Henry wrote: “Christ's time of making himself known to his people, is when they are most at a loss. He knows the temporal wants of his people, and has promised them not only grace sufficient, but food convenient… And there is nothing lost by observing Christ's orders; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship.”
In these times of feeling “most at a loss,” I know that God’s grace is sufficient, Jesus always provides, and the Spirit is motivating me toward the right. Whew – what a comfort that is! If it had been a snake…
Bitten by Love,
Pastor Beth
I know the snake idiom is used when looking for an object – something usually right in front of me – but I think it could also be used when I’m looking for solutions. Why can’t I see the answer when it’s right in front of me?
While several of the disciples were fishing one day, they heard a man calling to them from the shore. None of them recognized Jesus at first as he yelled: “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. (John 21:5-6, NIV)
This meeting is not long after the resurrection, and Jesus has already appeared to them twice. The first time was in the upper room when he offer them peace and showed them his scars. The second time was in front of Thomas who wanted the same evidence as the others. Those two times are more about helping them realize that he is alive – his body is proof of his resurrection complete with scars. This third time, though, he points out something that is right there in front of them… and it’s not really about the fish.
What if we view the boat as a symbol of the Church and the net as the sharing of the Gospel? Whether we want to recognize the giver of instructions or not, Jesus always calls out to us and asks if we have what we need. When we cast the net in the right direction, we pull converts into the faith. Once the disciples are on shore, Jesus invites them to add their own catch to what he has already prepared.
Why did I not see this before? This story is helping me understand that when we work without Jesus leading us, we likely fall short of accomplishment. When we act according to Jesus’ word, we find immeasurable success. From the rest of the story in John 21, I see that Jesus provides for us spiritually, physically, whatever we need. Our path toward fulfillment is already prepared, and our work is meant to add to the feast.
One of the most interesting points to me is that, even though they had been ineffective in catching fish throughout the night, they were fishing. Jesus didn’t have the fish jump into the boat; Jesus used the men and their available tools. Sounds like blessings come to those who have been trying to do the right thing with the resources they have. What’s more, when they listened with a willingness to make changes, the resulting progress was enormous. I think that when I listen for Jesus’ instructions, I may find that I’ve been fishing in the wrong spot. I need to be willing to change my methods and solely seek God’s will.
In his famous commentary, Matthew Henry wrote: “Christ's time of making himself known to his people, is when they are most at a loss. He knows the temporal wants of his people, and has promised them not only grace sufficient, but food convenient… And there is nothing lost by observing Christ's orders; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship.”
In these times of feeling “most at a loss,” I know that God’s grace is sufficient, Jesus always provides, and the Spirit is motivating me toward the right. Whew – what a comfort that is! If it had been a snake…
Bitten by Love,
Pastor Beth