Precepts Radio Letter (July 2008) (pdf version)
Sink The Boat

John 21:4-6:

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side 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. (NKJV)

This incident took place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection and just before Jesus ascended to heaven. Jesus had shown Himself to the multitudes, now He is showing Himself to the disciples. Because Jesus had taken His time to meet them, Peter saw a boat and took the rest of the disciples fishing. He wanted to show them what a pro he was. How disappointing it must have been when he fished all night long and caught nothing.

Peter had led the disciples when it was the popular thing to do. Jesus was very popular in Jerusalem and Israel because through His ministry, blind eyes were opened, deaf ears could hear, and lame people could walk. The disciples were leaders of a man who attracted hundreds of thousands of people from Israel and surrounding lands. These men had sacrificed their lives, careers, and incomes to follow Jesus and it had paid off.

However, when Jesus went to the cross, it confused them. This interrupted their plans for their lives. It was no longer popular to follow Jesus and those who had were looked down on. Peter, out of pressure from the crowds, denied the Lord. Thomas, while hiding from the crowds, doubted the stories he had heard of the resurrection and would not believe until he had put his finger on Jesus’ nail-pierced hands and thrust his hand into Jesus’ side.

THE SHIP

The disciples were probably happy to go to Galilee to retreat from the pressure of the population in Jerusalem. When it seemed Jesus was late in arriving, the ship looked very inviting to Peter.

When the going gets rough in the Christian life or in ministry, it seems there is always a ship sitting in the harbor inviting us to return to the life we once had. You might have been a great salesperson, investment counselor or had success in some other life venue. Perhaps the circumstances of where God has called you to be are causing you to want to return to where you once found success.

Peter was not only a good fisherman before he met Jesus, he made a good living catching and selling the fish he had caught. Peter was doing more than inviting the other disciples to go fishing with him, he was seriously thinking of quitting the ministry and returning to a life of business. Peter was confused, and the disciples followed him. It is amazing how many people will follow you even when you are confused. Your disobedience will affect many others who trust you.

Peter probably instructed the others about how and when to catch fish. “Nighttime is the best time to catch fish. Be quiet and throw your nets out on the left side.” It is embarrassing when you are trying to show others what a pro you are and you catch nothing. At times like this, you do not need a company. Peter was working so fervently to catch fish, he had removed his outer garment (John 21:7)! Peter worked all through the night.

All along, Jesus had been trying to get Peter out of the boat and Peter kept trying to get back in. Jesus first encountered Peter along the Sea of Galilee. Peter was in his boat, casting his net into the sea when Jesus called to him. Jesus told Peter if he would leave his boat to follow Him, his life would change. He would no longer be a fisherman of the sea, he would be a fisher of men! Peter was also in a boat when he saw Jesus walking on the water. He asked Jesus to prove it was really Him walking on water by commanding Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water. Jesus said “Come” and Peter actually walked on water!

Although the ministry was tough and filled with disappointment, Peter should have sunk the boat long before this. He probably thought, “If the ministry ever fails, at least I can go back to fishing.” Well, he tried and failed. This fishing expedition proved he was no longer anointed to fish. God’s will and calling for his life had changed.

JESUS’ QUESTION

When Jesus asks a question, it is rhetorical and does not need an answer. Jesus asked the disciples if they had any food, whether they had caught anything. They responded “No” to the Son of God. Jesus already knew the answer to the question. He asked it for their benefit, not His. Jesus’ question was designed to make them think. If they had not caught anything, there must be a reason behind it. Jesus then instructed them to throw the net out on the right side of the boat. They listened and caught so many fish it took all of them together to pull the overflowing net onto the shore.

This was the problem: They did not recognize Jesus. When you are carnal you do not recognize Jesus or His voice. The only spiritual one on the ship was John. He immediately recognized Jesus and told Peter. Peter dived into the water and swam to shore. Every stroke took him farther away from fishing and closer to the new calling on his life. Around the campfire, Jesus explained Peter’s calling to him. He would be a minister to the people of God to cause them to grow spiritually. Peter never returned to fishing again. I do not know what happened to the ship, but perhaps Peter finally sunk it!

When the anointing is gone from a certain part of your life, it is useless to try to return. Without the touch of the Holy Spirit, you cannot succeed at anything in life, even if you are naturally skilled.

Leave the past behind. Keep following the Lord and walk with Him.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Precepts
God has called every one of His children to be fishers of men. You may be unable to travel beyond your neighborhood to be a fisher of men, but through your generous gifts to Bob Yandian Ministries, you are reaching people around the world with God’s Word and changing lives for His kingdom. Thank you for your faithfulness to give. You are making a difference in the world. If you would like to learn more about being a fisher of men, order this month’s single CD message by Bob Yandian, Fishers of Men (CDNT0907). To order, call 1-800-284-0595

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Bob Yandian

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